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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Athens, Georgia » U.S. National Poultry Research Center » Exotic & Emerging Avian Viral Diseases Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #352322
Research Project: Intervention Strategies to Prevent and Control Disease Outbreaks Caused by Emerging Strains of Avian Influenza Viruses

Location: Exotic & Emerging Avian Viral Diseases Research

Title: Efficacy of two licensed H5 vaccines against challenge with a 2015 United States H5N2 clade 2.3.4.4 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in domestic ducks

Author
item Pantin Jackwood, Mary
item DEJESUS, ERIC - Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS)
item COSTA-HURTADO, MAR - Consultant
item Smith, Diane
item CHRZASTEK, KLAUDIA - Orise Fellow
item Kapczynski, Darrell
item Suarez, David

Submitted to: Avian Diseases
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/3/2018
Publication Date: 8/6/2018
Citation: Pantin-Jackwood, M.J., DeJesus, E., Costa-Hurtado, M., Smith, D.M., Chrzastek, K., Kapczynski, D.R., Suarez, D.L. 2018. Efficacy of two licensed H5 vaccines against challenge with a 2015 United States H5N2 clade 2.3.4.4 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in domestic ducks. Avian Diseases. 62:90-96. https://doi.org/10.1637/11895-050918-Reg.1.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1637/11895-050918-Reg.1

Interpretive Summary: In 2014-2015, H5N2 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus, clade 2.3.4.4, caused a devastating outbreak in poultry in the United States. In this study, the efficacy of 2 vaccines was examined for reduction of virus shedding and clinical signs of disease in domestic ducks challenged with a H5N2 HPAI virus. The vaccines were given either as single vaccination at 2 days of age or in a prime-boost strategy at 2 and 15 days of age. No mortality and minimal clinical signs were observed in vaccinated-challenged ducks. Both vaccines, regardless of the vaccination strategy used, reduced or prevented virus shedding after challenge. In conclusion, good protection against H5N2 infection was achieved in vaccinated ducks vaccinated, with prime-boost strategies conferring the best protection against infection.

Technical Abstract: Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) clade 2.3.4.4 viruses from the H5 Goose/Guangdong lineage caused a major outbreak in poultry in the United States in 2015. Although the outbreak was controlled, vaccines were considered as an alternative control method and new vaccines were approved and purchased by the National Veterinary Stockpile for emergency use. In this study we evaluated the efficacy of two of these vaccines in protecting Pekin ducks against challenge with a H5N2 HPAI poultry isolate. A recombinant alphavirus-based vaccine and an inactivated adjuvanted reverse genetics vaccine, both expressing the hemagglutinin gene of a U.S. H5 clade 2.3.4.4 isolate, were used to immunize the ducks. The vaccines were given either as single vaccination at 2 days of age or in a prime-boost strategy at 2 and 15 days of age. At 32 days of age, all ducks were challenged with A/Turkey/Minnesota/12582/15 H5N2 HPAI virus clade 2.3.4.4. All ducks from the non-vaccinated challenge control group became infected and shed virus; one duck in this group presented mild ataxia and a second duck died. No mortality or clinical signs were observed in vaccinated-challenged ducks, with the exception of one duck presenting mild ataxia. Both vaccines, regardless of the vaccination strategy used, were immunogenic in ducks and reduced or prevented virus shedding after challenge. In conclusion, good protection against H5Nx infection was achieved in ducks vaccinated with the vaccines examined, which were homologous to the challenge virus, with prime-boost strategies conferring the best protection against infection.