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Submitted to: Avian Diseases
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 12/9/2003 Publication Date: 6/20/2004 Citation: Kapczynski, D.R. 2004. Development of A Virosome Vaccine For Protection In Turkeys Against Avian Metapneumovirus Subtype C. Avian Diseases v.48, p.332-343. 2004. Interpretive Summary: Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) is responsible for a highly infectious respiratory disease of turkeys. Virosome vaccines have been shown to induce specific protection against many different viruses. In an effort to protect birds from this disease, production of a novel aMPV virosome vaccine was developed and tested in turkeys. The results indicate vaccination with virosomes can increase protection from clinical signs of disease and decrease virus titers in respiratory tissue. Technical Abstract: An avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) virosome vaccine was prepared and tested for protection of turkeys by aMPV challenge. The vaccine was produced using a detergent-based (Triton X-100) extraction of aMPV subtype C followed by detergent removal with SM2 Bio-Beads. Western blot and virus-neutralization analysis confirmed that the aMPV virosomes contained both the fusion (F) and attachment (G) glycoproteins. SPF turkeys were immunized either intranasally (IN) or intramuscularly (IM) with 2 doses of the aMPV virosome vaccine. Vaccination decreased clinical signs of disease following virulent challenge and IN vaccination was superior to IM vaccination in reducing clinical signs. Decreases in viral load in the respiratory tract were observed in turkeys receiving IN vaccination with aMPV virosomes compared to unvaccinated poults. Increased virus-neutralizing antibody levels against aMPV were observed in birds vaccinated with virosomes. These results demonstrate that immunization of turkeys with aMPV virosomes can be an effective strategy for control of disease. |
