A study of breeder vaccination programs and problems in the broiler progeny in Saskatchewan utilizing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

A survey of antibodies against infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), Newcastle disease virus (NDV), and reovirus (RV) was conducted in broiler-breeder flocks and selected progeny broiler flocks utilizing the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Marked differences in antibody titers between different breeder flocks were related to differences in vaccination programs. Poor performance in some progeny broiler flocks was related to low antibody titers against IBDV in the source breeder flocks. Progeny broiler flocks in which there was a high incidence of condemnations for airsacculitis had elevated antibody titers against IBV. A few progeny broiler flocks that experienced high mortality due to gangrenous dermatitis had no antibody titers against IBDV at processing. Antibody titers against RV were very variable and could not be related to any production problems.     

Comparison of egg-yolk and serum antibody titers to four avian viruses by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using paired field samples

Eggs and blood were collected from 11 hens in each of nine broiler-breeder flocks in Quebec. Serum and egg-yolk extracts were assayed for antibody titers to infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), Newcastle disease virus (NDV), and reovirus (RV) by a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Comparison was made between egg-yolk and serum antibody titers by a regression analysis. A high correlation was observed between serum and yolk antibody titers to all the viruses tested (r = 0.9 for IBDV, 0.84 for IBV, 0.84 for NDV, and 0.91 for RV). Antibody monitoring of commercial breeder flocks using egg yolk instead of serum with commercial ELISA plates is thus feasible and is recommended.     

Protective immunity against Newcastle disease: the role of antibodies specific to Newcastle disease virus polypeptides

Studies were performed to determine if passive immunization with hyperimmune sera generated to specific Newcastle disease virus (NDV) proteins conferred protection against virus challenge. Six groups of 3-wk-old chickens were passively immunized with antiserum against either hemagglutinin-neuraminidase/fusion, (HN/F) protein, nucleoprotein/phosphoprotein (NP/P), Matrix (M) protein, a mixture of all NDV proteins (ALL), intact ultraviolet-inactivated NDV (UVNDV), or negative sera. Blood samples were collected 2 days postimmunization, and the birds were challenged with Texas GB strain of NDV. Antibody titers were detected from those recipient birds that had received the antisera against the HN/F, ALL, or UVNDV by a hemagglutination inhibition test, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and a virus neutralization test. Antibodies were detected only by the ELISA from the birds that had received antisera against NP/P and M protein. Antibody titers in the recipient birds dropped by two dilutions (log2) after 2 days postinjection. Birds passively immunized with antisera against HN/F, ALL, and UVNDV were protected from challenge, whereas chickens passively immunized with antisera against NP/P and M protein and specific-pathogen-free sera developed clinical signs of Newcastle disease. The challenge virus was recovered from the tracheas of all passively immunized groups. The presence of neutralizing antibodies to NDV provided protection from clinical disease but was unable to prevent virus shedding from the trachea.     

Natural infection of broiler breeder chickens with endemic apathogenic Newcastle disease virus and their subsequent response to vaccination with a live V4 Newcastle disease virus vaccine

Flocks of broiler breeder chickens housed on a commercial farm were monitored from 13 w of age for natural infection with endemic lentogenic Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Seroconversion was first detected at 17 w. By 24 w, all 8 flocks had achieved peak log2 mean haemagglutination inhibiting antibody titres of up to 4.8. Antibody titres then declined and rose again over several months, suggesting cyclic reinfection with NDV. A lentogenic NDV indistinguishable from V4 was isolated from the cloaca of one bird at 18 weeks of age. At 54 weeks of age, 6 of 8 flocks were vaccinated en masse with live V4 NDV vaccine, 3 flocks by drinking water and 3 flocks by aerosol. All flocks were serologically monitored for a further 8 w. Drinking water vaccination induced an anamnestic response in 3 flocks, showing that flocks with pre-existing active immunity to NDV may be successfully vaccinated with V4. However, in all aerosol vaccinated flocks, the procedures failed to induce a response different to that observed in unvaccinated flocks. The serological response to vaccination was greater in sires than in dams.     

An investigation of the disease status of village poultry in Mauritania

Three contagious poultry diseases in Mauritania were studied. Serum samples and tracheal swabs were taken from 80 chickens in village poultry flocks in each of three different regions. Antibodies against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) were detected in 4.8% of chickens, antibodies against Gumboro disease virus in 15.8% of chickens and antibodies against Salmonella pullorum in 6.2% of chickens. Six isolates of NDV were made, of which four formed plaques on chicken embryo fibroblast monolayers. Seropositivity was highest in the Trarza region, bordering the River Senegal, and four out of six of the NDV isolates were made from chickens in this region.     

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.     

A reservoir of virulent Newcastle disease virus in village chicken flocks

Village chicken flocks in 6 different regions of Morocco were studied for the presence of Newcastle disease. Three of the regions contained industrialised poultry farming and 3 were isolated mountainous regions with no industrialised poultry farming. Serum samples and tracheal swabs were taken from 100 chickens in each region. Antibodies against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) were found in chickens from every region. Forty-one isolates of NDV were obtained including some from chickens in every region. Two virus isolates from each region characterised and all were found to be velogenic. Thus, village chicken flocks throughout Morocco harbour a reservoir of virulent NDV, independently of industrialised farms.     

Cases of swollen head syndrome in broiler chickens in Greece

From 50 commercial broiler flocks included in a study concerning respiratory disease, signs of swollen head syndrome (SHS) were shown in eight. Postmortem examination was performed in eight birds showing signs of SHS from each flock. The trachea and head from each bird were collected for laboratory investigation. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the detection of viral and avian mycoplasma antigens in the trachea, and bacteriologic examinations were performed from the infraorbital sinuses of the infected birds. According to the ELISA results, the most frequently detected antigen in the trachea was Mycoplasma synoviae (six flocks, 75%), followed by infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) (five flocks, 62.5%), avian adenovirus (four flocks, 50%), avian reovirus (three flocks, 37.5%), Mycoplasma gallisepticum (one flock, 12.5%), and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) (one flock, 12.5%). Turkey rhinotracheitis (TRT), infectious laryngotracheitis, and avian influenza viral antigens were not detected. Experimental assays for characterization of NDV and IBV isolates showed that they were strains of low virulence (evidently vaccine strains). Bacteriologic examinations from the infraorbital sinuses of the affected birds resulted in the isolation of Escherichia coli (seven cases, 87.5%) and Staphylococcus spp. (one case, 12.5%). It is evident that TRT virus did not play a causal role in SHS in commercial broiler flocks in Greece, but in this condition, other viruses (IBV, NDV), mycoplasmas, or bacteria may be involved, and environmental conditions seem to be essential to the occurrence and severity of the disease.     

Antibody response to Newcastle disease virus (NDV) of recombinant fowlpox virus (FPV) expressing a hemagglutinin-neuraminidase of NDV into chickens in the presence of antibody to NDV or FPV.

Antibody response of recombinant fowlpox virus (FPV) was studied in chickens inoculated with the virus in the presence or absence of antibodies against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) or FPV. In the case of NDV, high hemagglutination-inhibition titers to NDV were obtained when the antibody was present. No immune response to NDV was observed in the chickens previously vaccinated with FPV.     

A survey of Newcastle disease in Swiss laying-hen flocks using serological testing and simulation modelling

Newcastle disease (ND) is a highly contagious viral disease of birds particularly domestic poultry. Switzerland is currently declared free from ND; since vaccination is prohibited, the detection of antibodies against ND virus (NDV) results in the destruction of the respective flock (stamping-out policy). However, in 1995 and 1996, antibody-positive flocks were detected and sporadic ND outbreaks even occurred in Switzerland. Therefore, a serosurvey was done to look for evidence of NDV infections in Swiss laying-hen flocks. The survey was designed to provide 95% confidence of detecting at least one seropositive flock if the flock prevalence were 1%. Thirty blood samples from each of 260 commercial laying-hen flocks were collected during 1996 in a central poultry slaughterhouse. Sera were screened for NDV antibodies with a commercial blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Samples with a questionable or positive test result were retested with the same ELISA. A stochastic computer model was applied to define a cut-off number of test-positive samples to help to differentiate between true- and false-positive flocks and to estimate the true flock prevalence of infection. Four flocks were identified as NDV-seropositive and the NDV true seroprevalence among commercial laying-hen flocks in Switzerland was most likely between 1.35 and 1.55%. This indicates that Swiss laying-hen and parental flocks with more than 150 animals have been in contact with strains of NDV that cause subclinical infection in chicken, because no clinical symptoms have been observed. In this context, computer simulation was a useful technique to interpret survey results.     

Characterization of Newcastle Disease Viruses Isolated from Chickens and Ducks in Tamilnadu,India

During 1993, outbreaks of Newcastle disease occurred on many farms in Tamilnadu, India. Six Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolates were obtained from the chickens on five different farms and from the birds on one duck farm during outbreaks of the disease. All the isolates were characterized as velogenic, based on the mean death time, intravenous pathogenicity index, intracerebral pathogenicity index (ICPI), stability of haemagglutinin at 56°C, agglutination of equine erythrocytes, haemagglutination elution pattern and adsorption of haemagglutinin by chick brain cells. The isolate obtained from ducks resembled a group D strain, based on its ICPI and its reaction with a panel of monoclonal antibodies. The other five NDV isolates obtained from chickens were placed in groups B(1), C1(2) and D(2) on the basis of their binding patterns with the panel of monoclonal antibodies. In challenge experiments, it was found that LaSota vaccine provided 100% protection against each of these field isolates and against a local NDV strain obtained from the Institute of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Tamilnadu, India, while unvaccinated chickens succumbed to challenge. The possible origin of epizootic viruses causing outbreaks in vaccinated flocks is discussed.     

Serosurvey of five viruses in chickens on smallholdings in Bangladesh

A serologic survey was undertaken in chickens in smallholdings in Bangladesh for avian influenza A virus (AIV), egg drop syndrome '76 virus (EDS'76V), infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and reovirus (RV) in three phases: January 2002-May 2003, September 2003-August 2004, and August 2005-March 2006. Four hundred thirty-six sera collected in the 2nd phase, 295 in the first phase, 755 in the 1st plus 2nd phases and 295 in the 1st phase were investigated for AIV, EDS'76V, IBV and RV, respectively, using enzyme linked immunosorbent assays. All 854 sera collected in the three phases were screened for NDV using hemagglutination inhibition test. In chickens 20% were seropositive to AIV, 3% to EDS'76V, 74% to IBV, 88% to NDV, and 47% to RV. The seroprevalence in flocks was 23% to AIV, 6% to EDS'76V, 79% to IBV, 89% to NDV and 56% to RV. Twenty-five percent chickens had > or = 10log(2)HI titers to NDV.     

鸡胚中新城疫强毒的分离、鉴定与生物学特性研究

将来自有产蛋下降表现的一个肉用型父母代种鸡群的种蛋在实验室内孵化,每日观察鸡胚死亡情况。在孵化的24个鸡胚中有2个在孵化后8~9 d死亡,尿囊液有血凝性。在HI试验中,NDV单因子血清呈现26的HI滴度,对H9和H5亚型AIV单因子血清不呈血凝抑制活性,由此确定为新城疫病毒(Newcastle disease virus,NDV),分别命名为Tengz060104和Tengz060107。对该2个NDV分离株的生物学毒力指标进行测定,Tengz060104株的MDTI、CPI和IVPI分别为56.4 h、1.88和2.67,Tengz060107株的MDTI、CPI和IVPI分别为40.8 h、1.88和2.79。在6周龄SPF鸡攻毒后产生典型的ND症状的病变。表明来自鸡胚的2个分离株属强毒力、速发型NDV毒株。交叉HI中Tengz060104和Tengz060107相互间的同源性为100%,而与经典NDV毒株F48E8的同源性比较分别是66.7%和57.7%。从鸡胚中分离到新城疫强毒株在国内尚未见报道。     

Rapid serological profiling by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IV. Association of infectious bursal disease serology with broiler flock performance

Breeder and broiler flocks were serologically evaluated using a multiple enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (M-ELISA). The serologic status of two commercial broiler-breeder flocks and their progeny was monitored, and 840 sera were promptly assessed for antibodies against six infectious agents using the M-ELISA. Breeder flocks were sampled at lay, and broiler chicks were hatched from fertile eggs collected on the scheduled lay date of the breeders. The broiler chicks were placed for growout as eight separate flocks (four from each breeder), and the serologic survey of broilers included sequentially sampling each flock five times between 1 day of age and market. Association of broiler vaccination schedules, mortality, and condemnation data with the temporal serologic data obtained indicated that the earlier appearance of active antibody against infectious bursal disease (IBD) in some unvaccinated flocks was associated with subsequent higher growout mortality and with the poorer overall performance that these flocks experienced. The results of this serologic survey also demonstrated that if a constant, well-timed monitoring program had not been used, major serologic differences between flocks would not have been detected. Serologic profiles of selected broiler flocks by virus-neutralization (VN) tests for infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and reovirus or by hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) tests for Newcastle disease virus (NDV) compared favorably with the serologic profiles obtained by M-ELISA. Comparison of vaccination histories with serologic results derived from M-ELISA, VN or HI tests indicated that response to vaccination for IBV and NDV at 1 day was either blocked or significantly delayed by moderate levels of maternal antibody and/or were suppressed by an apparent field outbreak of IBD that occurred in all eight broiler flocks.     

Effects of Polyether Ionophores on the Protective Immune Responses of Broiler Chickens against Angara Disease and Newcastle Disease Viruses

Immunization against Angara disease virus (ADV), a serotype 4 avian adenovirus, and Newcastle disease virus (NDV), an avian paramyxovirus serotype 1, is the mainstay of a broiler vaccination programme, while polyether ionophores usually form an essential component of a broiler medication programme in most parts of India and Pakistan. The role of polyether ionophores in the protective immune responses of broiler chickens vaccinated and challenged with ADV and NDV was investigated. A total of 1600 birds were divided into eight groups of 200 birds each. First four groups were vaccinated against NDV and ADV, while the remaining four served as unvaccinated controls. The first 3 groups of birds were administered salinomycin, monensin and cyclophosphamide (CYP), respectively. The last group served as an untreated control. The same treatment schedule was also followed for the next four unvaccinated groups. The post-vaccination and post-challenge serological responses to NDV and ADV, body and lymphoid organ weight gains, post-challenge survival rate and detection of NDV and ADV in the tissues of infected birds were evaluated. Birds administered salinomycin showed a significant stimulation of protective immune responses against both NDV and ADV as compared to the untreated and CYP-treated birds. Monensin also enhanced the protective immune responses against both viruses but the effect was not statistically significant. Thus, it is concluded that monensin and salinomycin augment the anti-NDV and anti-ADV immune responses in broiler chickens, which supports their use in poultry flocks.     

Serological profiles of commercial broiler breeders and their progeny. 2. Newcastle disease virus

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) titers were determined for serum samples from eight commercial broiler breeder flocks and their progeny. The chickens sampled had been vaccinated and reared by different producers in different regions of the United States. Breeder flocks had the highest number of NDV-positive HI titers (greater than or equal to 1:10). Eighty percent or more of the samples from six of eight breeder flocks were positive; the geometric mean titers (GMTs) for those six breeder flocks ranged from 19 to 92. Only 3 of 8 broiler flocks had an increased frequency of positive titers and higher GMTs after vaccination. The frequency of positive titers was greater than 80% in only 2 of 8 of the oldest broiler flocks. The number of NDV-negative titers (less than 1:10) increased with age in most broiler flocks, even though all had been vaccinated once or more with live NDV vaccines.     

Use of egg yolk in serological tests (ELISA and HI) to detect antibody to Newcastle disease, infectious bronchitis, and Mycoplasma gallisepticum

Serum and yolks from commercial flocks and from hens exposed to Newcastle disease virus (NDV), infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), and Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) were tested for immunoglobulin G antibody by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) test. Yolks prepared by chloroform extraction and low-speed centrifugation performed well in the serological tests used and were a suitable alternative to serum for antibody determination by the ELISA for NDV, IBV, and MG and by HI test for NDV.     

Characterization of a battery of monoclonal antibodies for differentiation of Newcastle disease virus and pigeon paramyxovirus-1 strains

Twenty monoclonal antibodies (MCAs) prepared against the velogenic GB-Texas strain of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and the type 1 pigeon paramyxovirus (PPMV-1) were characterized and examined as potential immunodiagnostic reagents. All MCAs generated were found to bind specifically, but with varying reactivity, to various NDV strains in direct binding assays. In addition, MCA 15C4 neutralized and inhibited hemagglutination (HA) of all lentogenic, mesogenic, and velogenic NDV strains tested but not the PPMV-1 strain. Antibody 10D11 also inhibited HA activity, but inhibition was more selective and limited to the mesogenic and domestic or indigenous velogenic strains of NDV. MCA 79 reacted in all serologic assays with an antigenic site common to all serotype 1 avian paramyxoviruses. Passive immunization studies involving three different neutralizing MCAs (35, 79, and 15C4) showed that enhanced, but not complete, protection against virulent NDV challenge was provided when the three MCAs were administered in combination.     

Newcastle disease--seroepidemiologic study of a highly contagious epizootic in poultry and in wild birds in Switzerland

Newcastle disease (ND) is a highly contagious viral disease particularly of domestic poultry. Switzerland is currently declared free from ND. A serosurvey using an ELISA was performed to investigate infections with ND-Virus (NDV) in 260 Swiss laying hen flocks, 169 backyard poultry flocks and 1576 wild birds. For laying hen flocks, a stochastic model was applied to analyse the results from serological testing. Four laying hen flocks were identified as NDV-seropositive, and the true NDV seroprevalence in this population was most likely between 1.3 and 1.5%. NDV antibodies were also detected in five of the 169 backyard poultry-flocks. ND-antibody positive birds were found in 10% of all wild birds examined, with the highest proportions among cormorants, grebes, birds of prey, owls, and swifts. The study indicated that positive flocks must have been in contact with NDV strains causing sub-clinical infection, since no clinical signs had been observed. Moreover, trade of poultry or poultry eggs was considered to be an important factor associated with seropositivity in backyard poultry flocks. Contact to wild birds did not seem to be of major importance.     

The role of indigenous wild, semidomestic, and exotic birds in the epizootiology of velogenic viscerotropic Newcastle disease in southern California, 1972-1973.

During an epornitic of velogenic viscerotropic Newcastle disease (VVND) in southern California, free-flying wild birds, captive and free-ranging semidomestic birds, and exotic birds were collected from the quarantine area to determine their role in the epizootiology of the disease. The VVND virus was isolated from 0.04% of 9,446 free-flying wild birds, 0.76% of 4,367 semidomestic birds, and 1.01% of 3,780 exotic birds examined. Three house sparrows and 1 crow directly associated with infected poultry flocks were the only free-flying wild birds from which VVND virus was isolated. Among semidomestic species, ducks, quail, chukars, pheasants, peafowl, pigeons, and doves were found to be infected. Psttacines, pittas, and toucans accounted for 92% of the VVND virus isolations from exotic birds. In addition, domestic Newcastle disease virus (NDV) was isolated from 0.29% of the free-flying wild birds, from 1.65% of the semidomestic birds, and from 0.19% of the exotic birds collected. Hemagglutination-inhibition against domestic NDV was demonstrated in 0.24% of 3,796 wild bird serums, 8.28% of 2,004 semidomestic bird serums, and 3.90% of 231 exotic bird serums tested. Although few free-flying wild birds were infected with VVND virus in this epornitic, the isolation of domestic NDV strains from free-flying wild ducks and mourning doves suggests the potential for transportation of NDV over long distances by migratory birds.