Induction of immune response in chickens primed in ovo with an inactivated H9N2 avian influenza virus vaccine

• Published in: BMC research notes Vol. 11; no. 1; pp. 428 - 7
• Main Authors: Astill, Jake, Alkie, Tamiru, Yitbarek, Alexander, Taha-Abdelaziz, Khaled, Bavananthasivam, Jegarubee, Nagy, Éva, Petrik, James John, Sharif, Shayan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 03.07.2018; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Adaptive immunity; Adjuvants; Animals; Antibodies, Viral; Antibody; Antibody Formation; Avian flu; Avian influenza; Beta-propiolactone; Bronchitis; Cell-mediated; Chickens; CpG islands; CpG ODN; Cytokines; Egg production; Eggs; Embryos; Enzymes; Genetic aspects; H9N2 avian influenza virus; Immune response; Immune response (cell-mediated); In ovo; Infections; Influenza; Influenza A Virus, H9N2 Subtype - immunology; Influenza in Birds - immunology; Influenza vaccines; Influenza Vaccines - immunology; Ligands; Morbidity; Mortality; Oligonucleotides; Pandemics; Physiological aspects; Poultry; Prevention; Proteins; Research Note; Respiratory diseases; Salmonella; Toll-like receptors; Vaccines; Viruses; Canada; Antibody; Cell-mediated; Vaccine; CpG ODN; Intramuscular; Beta-propiolactone; H9N2 avian influenza virus; In ovo; Toll-like receptor 21
• ISSN: 1756-0500; 1756-0500
• DOI: 10.1186/s13104-018-3537-9

Infection of chickens with low pathogenic avian influenza virus, such as H9N2 virus, culminates in decreased egg production and increased mortality and morbidity if co-infection with other respiratory pathogens occurs. We have previously observed the induction of antibody- and cell-mediated immune responses after intramuscular administration of an H9N2 beta-propiolactone inactivated virus vaccine to chickens. Given the fact that in ovo vaccination represents a practical option for vaccination against H9N2 AIV in chickens, in the current study, we set out to characterize immune responses in chickens against a beta-propiolactone inactivated H9N2 virus vaccine after primary vaccination in ovo on embryonic day 18, and secondary intramuscular vaccination on day 14 post-hatch. We also included the Toll-like receptor 21 ligand, CpG ODN 2007, and an oil emulsion adjuvant, AddaVax™, as adjuvants for the vaccines. Antibody-mediated immune responses were observed after administering the secondary intramuscular vaccine. Cell-mediated immune responses were observed in chickens that received the beta-propiolactone inactivated H9N2 virus combined with AddaVax™. Our results demonstrate that adaptive immune responses can be induced in chickens after a primary in ovo vaccination and secondary intramuscular vaccination.