ARS | Publication request: Selection of vaccine strains for avian influenza vaccination

Submitted to: Western Poultry Disease Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: February 16, 2007
Publication Date: March 26, 2007
Citation: Suarez, D.L. 2007. Selection of vaccine strains for avian influenza vaccination [abstract]. Proceedings of the Western Poultry Disease Conference, March 27-29, 2007, Las Vegas, Nevada. p. 76.

Technical Abstract: Avian influenza virus (AIV) is well known for its ability to have antigenic drift, and this antigenic drift can affect protection afforded by vaccines. Protection for AIV includes not only protection from clinical disease, but the reduction in virus shedding if a vaccinated bird becomes infected. In poultry, good protection from clinical disease occurs between most viruses of the same subtype if high levels of antibody are achieved. However, differences in virus shedding can vary greatly depending on whether the vaccine is well matched to the challenge strain. Currently, we have both sequence analysis and hemagglutination inhibition titers to help us match the vaccine with the field strain. These tools as well as vaccine challenge experiments will be described as part of the process to select vaccine seed strains.