Summary

This project aims to use in vivo experiments to investigate how well the Australian vaccines (SA2, A20, Serva and ΔgG) protect against infection and clinical disease induced by the novel recombinant virus (class 9 ILTV) in commercial broiler flock under conditions simulating field conditions.
Importantly, the project will develop a test to measure cell-mediated immune responses to ILTV (a gamma interferon ELISPOT assay) in blood samples will also be developed and evaluated as a potential alternative to the current ELISA-based tests that screen immune responses after vaccination in the field.
Ultimately the project will develop recommendations to reduce outbreaks of disease caused by ILTV.

Program

Chicken Meat

Research Organisation

The University of Melbourne

Objective Summary

The overall aim of this project is to provide the knowledge and tools to improve field vaccination protocols and prevent future outbreaks of disease caused by the ILTV recombinants.
This project has one main R&D objective:
1) To evaluate if existing ILT vaccines and a developmental ILT vaccine will protect broilers against a virulent recombinant ILT virus (class 9 ILTV).