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Title: IMMUNIZATION OF TURKEYS WITH A DNA VACCINE EXPRESSING EITHER THE F OR N GENE OF AVIAN METAPNEUMOVIRUS

Author
item Kapczynski, Darrell
item SELLERS, HOLLY - UNIV OF GEORGIA-ATHENS

Submitted to: Avian Diseases
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/7/2003
Publication Date: 9/4/2003
Citation: Kapczynski, D.R., Sellers, H.S. 2003. Immunization Of Turkeys With A DNA Vaccine Expressing Either the F Or N Gene Of Avian Metapneumovirus. Avian Diseases v.47 p.1376-1383.

Interpretive Summary: Vaccination is the cost-effect means of protecting an animal against disease. Vaccination of animals with DNA has been shown to induce specific protection against many different viruses. The objectives of this study were to determine if DNA vaccination protects turkeys from avian metapneumovirus (aMPV), a causative agent of respiratory disease in turkeys. The results indicate vaccination with DNA can increase protection from clinical signs of disease and decrease virus titers in respiratory tissue.

Technical Abstract: We compared protection by DNA vaccination with the F (pCMV-F) and N (pCMV-N gene from avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) in turkeys. One week old turkey poults received two intramuscular injections two weeks apart. Birds were challenged with a turkey-embryo adapted aMPV at 5 weeks of age. Vaccination with pCMV-F decreased clinical signs of disease as well as significantly reduced virus load in tracheal swabs compared to pCMV-N or unvaccinated controls. Serum neutralizing antibodies were significantly higher in birds receiving pCMV-F compared to all other groups. These results indicate that DNA vaccination with the F, but not N, gene of aMPV can induce significant protection against aMPV infection.