Immunity in Pekin ducks experimentally and naturally infected with duck hepatitis B virus

• Published in: Journal of medical virology Vol. 28; no. 4; p. 231
• Main Authors: Vickery, K, Freiman, J S, Dixon, R J, Kearney, R, Murray, S, Cossart, Y E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.08.1989
• Subjects: Aging; Animals; Animals, Newborn - immunology; Ducks; Enterovirus - immunology; Enterovirus Infections - immunology; Enterovirus Infections - physiopathology; Hepatitis Antibodies - biosynthesis; Hepatitis Virus, Duck - immunology; Immune Sera - administration & dosage; Neutralization Tests
• ISSN: 0146-6615
• DOI: 10.1002/jmv.1890280406

The immune response to duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) had not been elucidated. An assay was therefore established to detect the presence of antibody to DHB surface antigen (anti-DHBs) in serum of experimentally inoculated and naturally infected ducks. Anti-DHBs in serum was detected by indirect RIA from the percentage inhibition of binding of rabbit anti-DHBs to purified DHBsAg. Specificity was confirmed by positive and negative controls, infected and noninfected sera, and a mouse monoclonal antibody to DHB core antigen (anti-DHBc). Serum and liver samples were tested for DHBV DNA by dot-blot hybridization assay. Adult ducks repeatedly inoculated with DHBV remained non-viraemic but developed anti-DHBs. This antibody activity neutralized the infectivity of DHBV, which was experimentally inoculated into 1-day-old ducklings. In naturally infected flocks anti-DHBs was detected in a proportion of noninfected adult ducks as well as 1-day-old hatchlings. Anti-DHBs activity in hatchlings neutralized the infectivity of experimentally inoculated DHBV. Pekin ducks can therefore mount a neutralizing antibody response to DHBV, and immunity may be transferred in ovo from dam to off-spring.