By IANS
Berlin : Vaccines, which boost immunity against certain diseases, may be administered to animals more affectively through tattooing, scientists in Germany said after conducting tests in mice.
Most vaccines are at present delivered orally and through injections. Such vaccines have often failed to produce the expected immune response, researchers at the German Cancer Research Centre said.
They found that tattoos were much more effective in provoking a response from the immune system in mice.
Tattooing a vaccine into animals produced 16 times more antibodies than a simple injection into muscle tissue, reported the online edition of BBC News. The level of antibodies indicates the strength of the immune system’s response.
Tattoos have played a part in human culture for thousands of years.
Just over 100 years ago, the practice became more prevalent with the invention of the electric tattoo machine in United States. The same instrument is still in use to create tattoos today.
Now the researchers say the rapidly vibrating tattoo needle could be a useful way of delivering vaccines instead of insoluble ink under the skin.
Tattoos on animals are most commonly used for identification or branding. It is practised worldwide.
The tattoo needles would never be suitable for preventative vaccines, such as measles, in children as the pain would be too great, said Martin Mueller, one of the researchers.
But there may well be a role for the technique in routine vaccination of animals.