ARS | Publication request: Appraisal of experimental and commercial Marek's disease vaccines to induce bursal and thymic atrophy

Submitted to: American Association of Avian Pathologists
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: May 2, 2011
Publication Date: July 16, 2011
Citation: Silva, R.F., Dunn, J.R. 2011. Appraisal of experimental and commercial Marek's disease vaccines to induce bursal and thymic atrophy [CD-ROM]. American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Convention, July 16-19, 2011, St. Louis, Missouri. Paper No. 11069.

Technical Abstract: Recently, several experimental Marek’s disease (MD) vaccines were developed that appear to protect equally or better than the best commercial vaccines. However, some of the experimental vaccines were reported to induce transient bursal and thymic atrophies. We will report on two promising experimental MD vaccines, documenting the incidence of bursal and thymic atrophy, as well as their ability to inhibit weight gain. To determine whether there is a correlation between virus replication and lymphoid organ atrophy, we also quantified the Marek’s disease virus present in the thymus at various times post-inoculation.