Efficacy of live virus vaccines against infectious laryngotracheitis assessed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism

The efficacy of four different commercial live vaccines (vaccines A, B, C, and D) against the infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) was assessed in specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens. SPF chickens were vaccinated intraocularly at 6 wk old with ILTV live vaccines and were challenged intratracheally with the N91B01 strain of virulent Korean ILTV 2 wk after vaccination. The immunity against ILTV live vaccines was assessed by the incidence of latent infection by the challenge virus in the chickens' tracheas and trigeminal ganglia, the reisolation rate of the challenge virus, and the clinical signs in the chickens challenged with the N91B01 strain of ILTV. The latent infection in chickens was assessed by nested polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Our data showed that the clinical signs and challenge virus isolation were negative in all chickens receiving four difference commercial ILTV live vaccines. The viral DNA of the vaccine strain, but not that of the challenge virus, was detected in chickens vaccinated with vaccine A by nested PCR-RFLP. The viral DNAs of both the vaccine and challenge strains were detected from chickens vaccinated with vaccines B, C, and D. This study showed that only vaccine A can protect chickens from latent infection with the field virulent ILTV. We speculate that the efficacy of infectious laryngotracheitis live vaccines to protect chickens from latent infection with virulent ILTVs can be assessed by nested PCR-RFLP analysis.     

Protection induced by infectious laryngotracheitis virus vaccines alone and combined with Newcastle disease virus and/or infectious bronchitis virus vaccines

Two types of live attenuated vaccines have been used worldwide for the control of infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV): 1) chicken embryo origin (CEO) vaccines; and 2) tissue culture origin vaccines (TCO). However, the disease persists in spite of extensive use of vaccination, particularly in areas of intense broiler production. Among the factors that may influence the efficiency of ILTV live attenuated vaccines is a possible interference of Newcastle Disease virus (NDV) and infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) vaccines with the protection induced by ILTV vaccines. The protection induced by CEO and TCO vaccines was evaluated when administered at 14 days of age alone or in combination with the B1 type strain of NDV (B1) and/or the Arkansas (ARK) and Massachusetts (MASS) serotypes of IBV vaccines. Two weeks after vaccination (28 days of age), the chickens were challenged with a virulent ILTV field strain (63140 isolate, group V genotype). Protection was evaluated at 5 and 7 days postchallenge by scoring clinical signs and quantifying the challenge virus load in the trachea using real-time PCR (qPCR). In addition, the viral load of the vaccine viruses (ILTV, NDV, and IBV) was quantified 3 and 5 days postvaccination also using qPCR. The results of this study indicate that the NDV (B1) and IBV (ARK) vaccines and a multivalent vaccine constituted by NDV (B1) and IBV (ARK and MASS) did not interfere with the protection induced by the CEO ILTV vaccine. However, the NDV (BI) and the multivalent (B1/MASS/ARK) vaccines interfered with the protection induced by the TCO vaccine (P < 0.05). Either in combination or by themselves, the NDV and IBV vaccines decreased the tracheal replication of the TCO vaccine and the protection induced by this vaccine, since the ILTV-vaccinated and -challenged chickens displayed significantly more severe clinical signs and ILTV load (P < 0.05) than chickens vaccinated with the TCO vaccine alone. Although NDV and IBV challenges were not performed, the antibody responses elicited by NDV and/or the IBV vaccinations were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) when applied in combination with the CEO vaccine.     

The resistance of meat chickens vaccinated by aerosol with a live V4 Newcastle disease virus vaccine in the field to challenge with a velogenic Newcastle disease virus

Meat chickens housed on a commercial broiler farm in Australia were vaccinated once at 10 to 11 days-of-age by aerosol with live V4 Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccine. Groups of vaccinated and unvaccinated birds were flown to Malaysia, where they were challenged with a virulent strain of NDV. Survival rates in vaccinated chickens challenged 7, 14, 21 or 31 d after vaccination were 0.47, 0.77, 0.97 and 0.92, respectively. All unvaccinated chickens died due to Newcastle disease (ND) following challenge. Chickens in Australia and Malaysia were bled and the serums tested for haemagglutination-inhibiting (HI) antibody to NDV. Many vaccinated birds with no detectable antibody, and all birds with a log2 titre of 2 or greater, survived challenge. The results showed that this V4 vaccine induced protective immunity in a significant proportion of chickens within 7 d of mass aerosol vaccination. This early immunity occurred in the absence of detectable circulating HI antibody. Non-HI antibody mediated immunity continued to provide protection up to 31 d after vaccination. Almost all vaccinated birds were protected within 3 w of vaccination. It is concluded that the V4 vaccine is efficacious and could be useful during an outbreak of virulent ND in Australia.     

Development of a virosome vaccine for Newcastle disease virus

In an effort to protect chickens against Newcastle disease (ND), a nonreplicating virosome vaccine was produced by solubilization of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) with Triton X-100 followed by detergent removal with SM2 Bio-Beads. Biochemical analysis indicated that the NDV virosomes had similar characteristics as the parent virus and contained both the fusion and hemagglutinin-neuraminidase proteins. To target the respiratory tract, specific-pathogen-free chickens were immunized intranasally and intratracheally with the NDV virosome vaccine. This vaccine was compared with a standard NDV (LaSota) live-virus vaccine for commercial poultry. Seroconversion (> or = four fold increase in hemagglutination inhibition [HI] antibody titers) was achieved in all birds vaccinated with the virosome vaccine. Upon lethal challenge with a velogenic NDV strain (Texas GB), all birds receiving either vaccination method were protected against death. Antibody levels against NDV, as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and HI titer, were comparable with either vaccine and increased after virus challenge. These results demonstrate the potential of virosomes as an effective tool for ND vaccination.     

Protective efficacy of commercial inactivated Newcastle disease virus vaccines in chickens against a recent Korean epizootic strain

Despite the intensive vaccination policy that has been put in place to control Newcastle disease virus (NDV), the recent emergence of NDV genotype VII strains in Korea has led to significant economic losses in the poultry industry. We assessed the ability of inactivated, oil-emulsion vaccines derived from La Sota or Ulster 2C NDV strains to protect chickens from challenge with Kr-005/00, which is a recently isolated Korean epizootic genotype VII strain. Six-week-old SPF chickens were vaccinated once and challenged three weeks later via the eye drop/intranasal route. All vaccinated birds were fully protected from disease, regardless of the vaccine strains used. All vaccinated and challenged groups showed significant sero-conversion 14 days after challenge. However, some vaccinated birds, despite being protected from disease, shed the challenge virus from their oro-pharynx and cloaca, albeit at significantly lower titers than the unvaccinated challenged control birds. The virological, serological, and epidemiological significance of our observations with regard to NDV disease eradication is discussed.     

Advancement in vaccination against Newcastle disease: recombinant HVT NDV provides high clinical protection and reduces challenge virus shedding with the absence of vaccine reactions

Newcastle disease (ND) is a highly contagious disease of chickens causing significant economic losses worldwide. Due to the limitation in their efficacy, current vaccination strategies against ND need improvements. This study aimed to evaluate a new-generation ND vaccine for its efficacy in providing clinical protection and reducing virus shedding after challenge. Broiler chickens were vaccinated in ovo or subcutaneously at hatch with a turkey herpesvirus-based recombinant vaccine (rHVT) expressing a key protective antigen (F glycoprotein) of Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Groups of birds were challenged at 20, 27, and 40 days of age with a genotype V viscerotropic velogenic NDV strain. Protection was 57% and 81%, 100% and 95%, and 100% and 100% after the subsequent challenges in the in ovo and subcutaneously vaccinated chickens, respectively. Humoral immune response to vaccination could be detected from 3-4 wk of age. Challenge virus shedding was lower and gradually decreased over time in the vaccinated birds compared to the unvaccinated control chickens. In spite of the phylogenetic distance between the NDV F gene inserted into the vector vaccine and the challenge virus (genotype I and V, respectively), the rHVT NDV vaccine provided good clinical protection and significantly reduced challenge virus shedding.     

Expression of infectious laryngotracheitis virus glycoproteins in Escherichia coli and their application in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

Three glycoproteins of infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV), gC, gE, and gp60, were expressed in Escherichia coli as fusion proteins with a 6-histidine tag at their amino termini. The proteins expressed, designated as r-gC, r-gp60, and r-gE, all retain their antigenicity, as revealed by Western blot with chicken antiserum against ILTV. However, only r-gp60 and r-gE, but not r-gC, were found to be soluble. The soluble r-gp60 and r-gE were purified by a nickel column and then used as the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) antigen for detecting ILTV-specific antibodies. The diagnostic potential of r-gE and r-gp60 ELISA was assessed with the use of sera prepared from vaccinated or unvaccinated chickens of either specific-pathogen-free (SPF) or field origins. The result shows that r-gp60 and r-gE ELISA could discriminate vaccinated SPF chickens from unvaccinated ones 2 wk postvaccination. Moreover, r-gp60 and r-gE ELISA could also discriminate vaccinated field flocks from unvaccinated ones. This result indicates that r-gp60 and r-gE might serve as an alternative ELISA antigen for detecting ILTV-specific antibodies. Moreover, r-gp60 or r-gE ELISA might play an important role in the eradication of infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) in the future when the gp60- or gE-deleted marker vaccine of ILT is available.     

Improved protection from velogenic Newcastle disease virus challenge following multiple immunizations with plasmid DNA encoding for F and HN genes

Specific-pathogen free (SPF) chickens were inoculated with the plasmid constructs encoding the fusion (F) and haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) glycoproteins of Newcastle disease virus (NDV), either individually or in combination and challenged with velogenic NDV. The antibody level against NDV was measured using commercial enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In the first immunization regimen, SPF chickens inoculated twice with NDV-F or NDV-HN constructs elicited antibody responses 1 week after the second injection. However, the levels of the antibody were low and did not confer significant protection from the lethal challenge. In addition, administration of the plasmid constructs with Freund's adjuvant did not improve the level of protection. In the second immunization regimen, chickens inoculated twice with the plasmid constructs emulsified with Freund's adjuvant induced significant antibody titers after the third injection. Three out of nine (33.3%) chickens vaccinated with pEGFP-HN, five of ten (50.0%) chickens vaccinated with pEGFP-F and nine of ten (90.0%) chickens vaccinated with combined pEGFP-F and pEGFP-HN were protected from the challenge. No significant differences in the levels of protection were observed when the chickens were vaccinated with linearized pEGFP-F. The results suggested that more than two injections with both F and HN encoding plasmid DNA were required to induce higher level of antibodies for protection against velogenic NDV in chickens.     

Protective antibody response produced by the chickens vaccinated with green coloured thermostable Newcastle disease virus

The efficacy of green-coloured (GC) I-2 Newcastle disease vaccine was determined in the present study. I-2 vaccine was mixed with a green coloured dye and stored at 4°C for 6 months while assayed for the virus infectivity at a monthly interval. Chickens were vaccinated with the GC vaccine by eye drop. Serum samples were collected from all birds before and after vaccination at weekly interval for 4 weeks and tested for haemagglutination-inhibition (HI) antibody against Newcastle disease virus (NDV). These chickens were challenged with NDV virulent strain four weeks after vaccination. The results showed that there was no difference between the infectivity titres of GC and uncoloured vaccines. However, chickens vaccinated with GC vaccine produced higher HI antibody titres than chickens vaccinated with uncoloured vaccine. Results from the challenge trial showed that all vaccinated chickens survived whereas all unvaccinated chickens died. The findings from this study have shown that the GC vaccine is safe and produced protective antibodies against NDV in vaccinated chickens. Wambura, P. N., 2008. Protective antibody response produced by the chickens vaccinated with green coloured thermostable Newcastle disease virus. Tropical Animal Health and Production.     

A comparison of the onset of protection induced by Newcastle disease virus strain B1 and a fowl poxvirus recombinant Newcastle disease vaccine to a viscerotropic velogenic Newcastle disease virus challenge

Four-week-old specific-pathogen-free white rock chickens were immunized with either a commercial recombinant fowl poxvirus-vectored Newcastle disease vaccine (FPN) expressing the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase and fusion protein genes of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strain B1 or live NDV B1. Vaccinates and controls were challenged by eyedrop and intranasal (E/I) route with a viscerotropic velogenic NDV at 14 days postvaccination to determine the time of clearance of challenge virus. In a subsequent experiment, chickens were challenged at 3, 6, or 10 days postvaccination to determine the onset of immunity. Chickens that received a recommended field dose (1x) or a 0.01x dose of FP-N subcutaneously (s.c.) and were seropositive by hemagglutination-inhibition test at 14 days postvaccination cleared the challenge virus by 14 days postchallenge. Clinical Newcastle disease and high challenge virus titers in tissues were seen only in seronegative FP-N 0.01x dose vaccinates and controls. In a comparison of vaccination with FP-N (1x, 10(4,9) median tissue culture infective dose) s.c., B1 (10(6) median egg infective dose [EID50]) s.c., or B1 (10(6) EID50) E/I, chickens vaccinated at 6 or 10 days before challenge with all vaccines were protected against clinical disease, but only those vaccinated with B1 E/I 10 days before challenge were protected against infection with the challenge virus. Vaccination at 3 days before challenge with B1 E/I provided early protection, but severe nervous signs developed later and reduced overall protection to 60%, whereas disease in chickens vaccinated with B1 s.c. and FP-N s.c. 3 days before challenge was similar to the challenge controls.     

Bilateral effects of vaccination against infectious bursal disease and Newcastle disease in specific-pathogen-free layers and commercial broiler chickens

Different infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) live vaccines (intermediate, intermediate plus) were compared for their immunosuppressive abilities in specific-pathogen-free (SPF) layer-type chickens or commercial broilers. The Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccination model was applied to determine not only IBDV-induced immunosuppression but also bilateral effects between IBDV and NDV. None of the IBDV vaccines abrogated NDV vaccine-induced protection. All NDV-vaccinated SPF layers and broilers were protected against NDV challenge independent of circulating NDV antibody levels. Sustained suppression of NDV antibody development was observed in SPF layers, which had received the intermediate plus IBDV vaccine. We observed a temporary suppression of NDV antibody development in broilers vaccinated with one of the intermediate, as well as the intermediate plus, IBDV vaccines. Different genetic backgrounds, ages, and residual maternal antibodies might have influenced the pathogenesis of IBDV in the different types of chickens. Temporary suppression of NDV antibody response in broilers was only seen if the NDV vaccine was administered before and not, as it was speculated previously, at the time the peak of IBDV-induced bursa lesions was detected. For the first time, we have demonstrated that the NDV vaccine had an interfering effect with the pathogenesis of the intermediate as well as the intermediate plus IBDV vaccine. NDV vaccination enhanced the incidence of IBDV bursa lesions and IBDV antibody development. This observation indicates that this bilateral effect of an IBDV and NDV vaccination should be considered in the field and could have consequences for the performance of broiler flocks.     

表达传染性喉气管炎病毒gB基因和新城疫病毒F基因重组鸡痘病毒疫苗免疫持续期试验

用表达传染性喉气管炎病毒gB基因和新城疫病毒F基因的重组鸡痘病毒（rFPV～gB—F）制备的疫苗免疫4周龄SPF鸡，免疫后的7、14、21、30、60、90、120、150、180d分别采血，分离血清，检测抗FPV和gB的抗体。结果表明重组疫苗免疫后14d，免疫鸡血清抗体已经全部阳转，免疫后的21d血清抗FPV的抗体出现峰值；此后便开始回落，到免疫后的6个月抗体水平已经接近阴性对照的水平。抗gB的抗体在免疫后的第二周达到阳性，之后的六个月都为阳性。在免疫后的每个月将免疫鸡取20只再分成两组。分别用新城疫强毒与传染性喉气管炎强毒的攻击。在免疫后的第一个月对新城疫的保护率为8／10，第2个月对新城疫的保护为7／10，第3个月为2／10，因此对新城疫的免疫保护期为2个月。在免疫后的5个月内可以使免疫鸡对传染性喉气管炎强毒攻击的保护率达到8／10以上，免疫后的6个月对ILT为8／13．因此rF—PV-gB—F对传染性喉气管炎的免疫保护期为5个月。     

传染性喉气管炎新城疫鸡痘重组病毒免疫效力的研究

在表达鸡传染性喉气管炎病毒(ILTV)糖蛋白gB基因和新城疫病毒(NDV)F基因的重组鸡痘病毒(rF-PV-gB-F)安全性检验合格后,以5.0×101~5.0×104PFU不同含量按0.1mL/鸡的剂量免疫100只30日龄SPF鸡,30d后分组分别用ILTVWG株和NDVF48E9株强毒进行攻击。免疫鸡抗鸡痘病毒抗体都转为阳性,痘反应和接种剂量有关,重组疫苗的最小反应剂量为50PFU。重组疫苗可以诱发对新城疫和传染性喉气管炎的保护,0.1mL/鸡的接种量在500~5000PFU浓度范围内的免疫效果最好,对于ILTV攻击的发病保护率在70%以上,对NDV强毒攻击的抗死亡保护率可以达到80%,这为进一步考察疫苗的免疫效力试验以及进行田间试验奠定了基础。     

鸡新城疫重组鸡痘病毒活疫苗的免疫持续期和加强免疫研究

本研究旨在评价表达新城疫病毒（NDV）血凝素-神经氨酸酶（HN）基因的重组鸡痘病毒（rFPV-12LSHN）活疫苗的免疫持续期和加强免疫对疫苗免疫效力的影响。用rFPV-12LSHN活疫苗免疫14日龄SPF鸡,103PFU/羽,7d即可检测到NDV HI抗体应答,对NDV强毒F48E8株攻毒保护率达100%。一次免疫18周后,对NDV强毒攻击依然提供完全保护。鸡痘病毒（FPV）疫苗免疫4周,再接种rFPV-12LSHN活疫苗,攻毒保护率降低至50%。相反,rFPV-12LSHN免疫4周,随后二次免疫可显著提高对NDV的体液免疫应答水平（P〈0.01）,对NDV强毒攻击的保护率仍然为100%。结果表明,表达NDV HN基因的重组鸡痘病毒（rFPV-12LSHN）活疫苗,能够快速建立坚强免疫力,免疫持续期至少可达18周,rFPV-12LSHN的二次免疫可以提高疫苗的免疫力。     

Immunization of broiler chickens with a commercial infectious laryngotracheitis vaccine in the drinking water.

Seventy-five thousand broiler chickens in four flocks were immunized at four weeks of age with a commercial infectious laryngotracheitis vaccine administered in the drinking water. Three of the flocks exhibited a vaccine reaction represented by mild respiratory illness between seven and 14 days after vaccination. Immunity challenge experiments demonstrated 97% protection in one trial and 67% in another trial in which the dose of challenge virus was increased fourfold. In the latter trial a parallel comparative vaccination by eye administration was 87% protective. None of the vaccinated birds died of the challenge exposure whereas all the unvaccinated control chickens became ill, several showed the acute severe form of the disease and 36% died. Similar favourable results were obtained in large-scale water immunization programs involving more than 200,000 birds. Serum antibody levels determined before immunity challenge were, within wide limits, inversely related to the severity of clinical disease which developed from the challenge inoculation.     

鸡传染性喉气管炎病毒PCR诊断方法的建立与应用

根据GenBank登录的传染性喉气管炎病毒(ILTV)的TK基因序列设计并合成1对特异性引物,以ILTV疫苗株DNA为模板,建立了检测ILTV TK基因的PCR方法。应用该方法能从临床分离毒株和疫苗株中扩增到长为427 bp的目的片段;但不能从新城疫病毒(NDV)、传染性法氏囊病毒(IBDV)、禽呼肠孤病毒(ARV)、减蛋综合征病毒(EDSV)、H9亚型禽流感病毒(H9-AIV)、传染性支气管炎病毒(IBV)、大肠杆菌以及金黄色葡萄球菌等病原中扩增出阳性条带;敏感性试验表明其DNA最小检出量为4.9 ng;应用该方法和病毒分离法对2份临床病例和人工感染鸡的检测,两者符合率为100%。上述结果表明该PCR方法具有良好的特异性和敏感性,可用于传染性喉气管炎病毒鉴定和临床诊断。     

Experimental trials with a thermostable Newcastle disease virus (strain I2) in commercial and village chickens in Tanzania

Antibody responses in indigenous village and commercial chickens vaccinated with 12 thermostable Newcastle disease (ND) vaccine and protection levels against challenge with a virulent field isolate were determined. The antibody response of village chickens vaccinated by eye drop revealed that 30, 60 and 90 days after primary vaccination, the mean log2 HI titres were 6.1, 5.4 and 3.6, respectively, whereas for commercial chickens, the antibody response after 14, 30 and 90 days were 8.2, 5.1 and 4.2, respectively. Village chickens vaccinated orally via drinking water had mean log2 HI titres of 3.4 after 30 days. After booster vaccination, the mean HI titre was 5.4 and 3.3 after 30 and 60 days post-secondary vaccination (i.e. 60 and 90 days after primary vaccination). Antibody response of mean log2 HI titres of 2.6 was recorded 30 days after primary vaccination orally through food; 30 and 60 days after secondary vaccination (i.e. 60 and 90 days after primary vaccination), mean log2 HI titres were 5.3 and 3.2, respectively. All commercial and village chickens vaccinated by eye drop survived the challenge trial whereas village chickens vaccinated through drinking water and food had protection levels of 80% and 60% 30 days after primary vaccination, respectively. However, 30 days after booster vaccination, the protection level was 100%. At 60 days after secondary vaccination, the protection level dropped again to 80% for chickens vaccinated orally. All control chickens used in the challenge trials developed clinical ND and died 3-5 days after inoculation with the virulent virus. Supported by laboratory findings, I2 strain of NDV seemed to be avirulent, immunogenic and highly protective against virulent isolates of NDV. It may be a suitable vaccine to use in village chickens to vaccinate them against ND in rural areas.     

Field trial in commercial broilers with a multivalent in ovo vaccine comprising a mixture of live viral vaccines against Marek's disease,infectious bursal disease,Newcastle disease,and fowl pox

A multivalent in ovo vaccine (MIV) was tested for safety and efficacy in a commercial broiler complex. The MIV comprised five replicating live viruses including serotypes 1, 2, and 3 of Marek's disease virus (MDV), an intermediate infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) and a recombinant fowl poxvirus (FPV) vector vaccine containing HN and F genes of Newcastle disease virus (NDV). The performance of MIV-vaccinated broilers was compared with that of hatchmates that received turkey herpesvirus (HVT) alone (routinely used in ovo vaccine in the broiler complex). The chickens that hatched from the MIV-injected and HVT-injected eggs were raised under commercial conditions in six barns. Barn 1 housed 17,853 MIV-vaccinated chickens and each of the barns 2-6 housed 18,472-22,798 HVT-vaccinated chickens. The HVT-vaccinated chickens were given infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and NDV vaccines at hatch and at 2 wk of age. The MIV-vaccinated chickens received IBV vaccine at hatch and IBV + NDV at 2 wk of age. The relative values of hatchability of eggs, livability and weight gain of chickens, and condemnation rates at processing were comparable between the MIV and the HVT groups (P > 0.05). Chickens from the MIV- and the HVT-vaccinated groups were challenged with virulent viruses under laboratory conditions. The resistance of vaccinated chickens against Marek's disease could not be assessed because of high natural resistance of unvaccinated commercial broilers to virulent MDV. The relative resistances of the MIV- and the HVT-vaccinated groups, respectively, against other virulent viruses were as follows: IBDV, 100% for both groups; NDV, 81% vs. 19%; FPV, 86% vs. 0%. The successful use of MIV under field conditions expands the usefulness of the in ovo technology for poultry.