Volume 3, January 2010

avianinsight A LO H M A N N A N I M A L H E A LT H N E W S B R I E F

Control of Control of Arkansas Infectious

infectious
Bronchitis Virus by Vaccination
Introduction flock is to vaccinate with multiple types of the vi-
rus to induce a broad based immune response. If
bronchitis
I nfectious bronchitis
is a highly conta-
gious upper-respira-
possible, select vaccine virus types that are most
closely related to the field virus causing the dis-
ease for best results. This approach takes advan-
is extremely tory disease of chick- tage of cross-reactive antibodies that can some-
ens that is worldwide times provide partial protection. The common
in distribution and vaccine types used in the USA include Arkansas,
difficult because causes enormous Connecticut, DE, GA98, and Massachusetts. A vac-
economic losses. cine containing the Holland strain is also available
When the disease af- but Holland is a Massachusetts type virus.
the coronavirus fects hens, it causes
By Mark W. Jackwood, Ph.D.,
a drop in egg produc- Infectious bronchitis virus is a coronavirus, which
tion as well as poor are a group of enveloped positive-stranded RNA
that causes Professor, Department of
Population Health egg and eggshell viruses that can cause highly contagious diseases
College of Veterinary Medicine quality. Currently, in humans and domestic animals. They have the
University of Georgia
the best strategy for largest (~28Kb) known single stranded positive
IBV is highly Athens, GA 30602
control of infectious sense RNA genome, which codes for the viral poly-
bronchitis is the use of infectious bronchitis virus merase (1a and 1ab), which replicates the viral ge-
(IBV) vaccines. But control is extremely difficult nome, 4 structural proteins (Spike [S], Membrane
infectious and because the coronavirus that causes IBV is highly [M], Envelope [E], and Nucleocapsid [N]) and nu-
infectious and different types of the virus causing merous regulatory proteins. The most important
different types of the disease do not cross-protect. viral structural protein is the spike glycoprotein.
The S glycoprotein forms club shaped projections
In addition, the virus has the innate ability to on the surface of the virus particles. The spikes
change rapidly allowing it to break through
the virus causing existing immunity. The general plan for control is
are anchored in the envelope of the virus and are
made up of two subunits designated S1 and S2.
to identify the IBV types in the area, then vacci- Spike plays a role in host cell attachment and is
nate against those types. For the most part this
the disease do approach works. However, there are only a few
for the most part responsible for inducing a pro-
tective immune response in the host. Being en-
IBV types available in commercial vaccines in the veloped viruses, coronaviruses (including IBV) are
not cross-protect. USA; whereas, there are many different types of easily killed with almost all commercially available
IBV and countless variant type viruses circulating disinfectants. Although the virus does not survive
in commercial chickens for which no commercial for long in the environment, it is highly infectious,
vaccines exist. The strategy employed when no which makes it extremely difficult to eradicate.
vaccine exists for an IBV type identified in the

inside Control of Arkansas Infectious

Bronchitis Virus by Vaccination,
p.1
Notes from the
CEO, p.4
Modified Live and Killed IBV Vaccines
Modified live vaccines are made from
what are called attenuated viruses. At-
tenuated viruses have been passaged
in embryonating eggs upwards of 100
times, which changes the virus so it can
no longer cause disease in chickens. The
virus still infects and replicates (grows in
the chicken) which is how it induces an
immune response that protects the bird,
but it does not cause clinical signs of the
disease. The advantage of using a modi-
fied live vaccine for IBV is that immunity
is induced locally in the upper-respiratory
tract, which protects against infection.
Modified live vaccines are typically given
to broilers and pullets at one day of age
by coarse spray in the hatchery and at
approximately 2 weeks of age by coarse
spray or drinking water in the field.
Killed vaccines are made by growing vi-
rus in embryonating eggs, then treating
the virus (usually with a chemical) to
kill it so that it cannot replicate in the
chicken. Although the virus cannot rep-
licate, it retains its structure so it can
induce an immune response in the bird.
Killed virus vaccines are safe because
they cannot cause disease, but they must
be given by injection to individual birds
usually with an adjuvant to increase the
immune response. The immunity devel-
oped in response to a killed vaccine is
called systemic immunity meaning that
IBV specific antibodies are found in the
blood. These antibodies are long-lasting
and can provide protection to the upper- Killed vaccines should
respiratory tract as long as a modified
live vaccine was previously administered.
Because killed IBV vaccines are safe and only be given after a
can induce prolonged immunity, they
are used in layers to protect the birds
throughout the laying period. Killed modified live vaccine has
IBV vaccines are given to breeders for
the same purpose as well as to provide
maternal antibodies to their progeny. been administered.
The modified live vaccine
Arkansas IBV Modified Live Vaccines
are Unique
serves to ‘prime’ the
In a study that examined IBV types isolated
over an 11-year period, it was discovered
that the Arkansas-DPI strain was by far immune system of the bird.
the most frequently identified type of IBV
in the field, as high as 65% of total yearly
isolations (Jackwood et al., 2005). Further
indicates that persistence of IBV may be
studies showed that an overwhelming
more closely related to the strength of
majority of those Arkansas viruses were
the host immune response to the virus.
vaccine viruses (Jackwood et al., 2008). In
So what this means regarding IBV control
fact, although a multivalent vaccine was
is that solid immunity against all types
given to the birds, which included Mass-
of IBV, especially Arkansas, needs to
achusetts and GA98 type viruses along
be induced with a vigorous vaccination
with Arkansas type viruses, only the Ar-
program so vaccine viruses do not persist
kansas type vaccine virus could be de-
in the flock. This is important because
tected, and it was found to persist for the
the longer the viruses persist in the flock,
life of the flock.
the more time they have to mutate and
It is interesting that only the Arkansas cause disease.
vaccine viruses were persisting in the
birds. In a study that examined IBV per-
sistence at the individual bird level using Killed Arkansas Vaccines
a Massachusetts type virus, it was found
that virus shed- Since killed vaccines do not replicate in
ding and virus the host, there is no danger of persis-
from internal tence or mutation of the virus to cause
organs could disease. So many of the issues with modi-
be detected fied live Arkansas vaccines do not apply
for as long as to killed vaccines that contain the Arkan-
157 days (Naqi sas strain. The main goal of a killed IBV
et al., 2003). vaccine program in layers is to provide
Furthermore, it broad cross-reactive immunity against
was observed many IBV types. For breeders, the goal is
that IBV per- the same as in layers, but also includes
sistence was maintaining high uniform antibody
not associated titers that will be passed to the prog-
with appre- eny, so-called maternal antibodies. There
ciable genetic is evidence in the literature that shows
change in the maternal antibodies against IBV passed
virus, which from the hen to the progeny can provide

chicks with short-lived protection against
the disease (Mondal and Naqi, 2001).
Killed vaccines should only be given after
a modified live vaccine has been adminis-
tered. The modified live vaccine serves to
‘prime’ the immune system of the bird. To
obtain the highest long-lasting antibody
titers, the birds should be given several
live vaccines early in life, with the last one
at least 4 to 6 weeks before a killed vac-
cine is given. Then, killed vaccines can be
given periodically to the hens to maintain
high uniform antibody titers for the life
of the flock. In some areas where the IBV
challenge is particularly strong, modified
live IBV vaccines can also be given during
the laying period, although this should be
done with caution.
To induce high uniform antibody titers,
different types of IBV in the killed vac-
cines should given and they ought to
be the same as the modified live vac-
cines given earlier in life. The goal is
to get the antibody titers in the blood
as high as possible and to keep them
high. High antibody titers provide sev-
eral important things. High antibody
titers tend to be more cross-reactive
giving broader protection against variant
viruses. However, IBV specific systemic
antibodies (antibodies in the blood
stream) are and administered according to the
not very effec- manufacturer’s recommendations. In
tive against addition, look for the expiration date on
IBV infections the vaccine bottle and make sure the
because of vaccine has not expired. Also be sure
their location. the vaccine is approved for use in the
age and type of bird being vaccinated,
To protect birds and give a full dose. Finally, make sure
against IBV the vaccination equipment is clean and
infection, IBV in good working order. Vaccines are
specific anti- expensive. Storing and administering
bodies need them improperly not only wastes vaccine
to be at the but also wastes time and labor.
mucosal sur-
face in the
upper-respira-
tory tract. High References
levels of antibody in the blood have the
Jackwood, M.W., D. A. Hilt, C-W. Lee, H. M.
potential to ‘leak’ into the upper-respira-
Kwon, S. A. Callison, K. M. Moore, H. Mos-
tory tract and thereby provide protection.
coso, H. Sellers and Thayer., S. (2005) Data
Finally, high antibody titers in the blood
from 11 years of molecular typing infec-
are passed on to the chicks to provide
tious bronchitis virus field isolates. Avian
maternal antibody protection until the
Dis 49, 614-618.
chick can respond to vaccination and
make its own antibodies against IBV. Jackwood, M.W., Hilt, D.A., McCall,
The higher the antibody titers in the A.W., Polizzi, C.N., McKinley, E.T. and
blood, the more antibodies get to the Williams, S.M. (2008) Infectious bronchi-
chick in the form of IgY in the yolk, tis virus field vaccination coverage and
and the longer the maternal antibody persistence of Arkansas type viruses
protection will last. in commercial broilers. Avian Dis.
Submitted, October.
Ensure solid protection Mondal, S.P. and Naqi, S.A. (2001)
Maternal antibody to infectious bron-
chitis virus: its role in protection against
against IBV by storing, infection and development of active
immunity to vaccine. Vet Immunol
Immunopathol 79(1-2), 31-40.
handling and administering
Naqi, S., Gay, K., Patalla, P., Mondal, S. and
Liu, R. (2003) Establishment of persistent
vaccines properly. avian infectious bronchitis virus infection
in antibody-free and antibody-positive
chickens. Avian Dis 47(3), 594-601.
Other Considerations
To ensure solid protection against IBV,
vaccines must be handled correctly
and administered properly. The general
rule here is, when in doubt, read the
label. Vaccines should be stored, handled
Notes from the CEO
Growth in demand for Lohmann
vaccines continues at a rate that ex-
ceeds increase in bird numbers. As
more and more companies validate
the improvements in their flocks
provided by Lohmann AviPro® vac-
cines, they are choosing to change
to AviPro® to support successful
production. Demand is particu-
larly strong in the USA, but also is
escalating in our more than 45
global markets.
Dave Zacek
CEO, To meet this increased demand,
Lohmann Animal Health expansion of our Winlsow, Maine
facility continues on schedule with
implementation of our animal services center to occur January
2010. This new, state of the art facility will provide adroit ani-
mal testing required by USDA for the many killed vaccines we
produce. The environmentally controlled structure provides safe,
comfortable living conditions for both birds and the technicians
who work with the birds.
www.lahinternational.com (+1) 800-655 1342
for more information:
The larger expansion of the vaccine production facility is also
on schedule for its opening the summer of 2010. This significant
investment will improve traffic flow and provide a comfortable
and practical working environment for our colleagues. Plus, it
will dramatically increase our production capacity to assure we
can continue to support our growth curve.
In the USA market, we have added a nutritional feed additive
line of products that have been sold by Lohmann in Europe
for decades. These products are vitamins, pigments and herb-
als. With our long experience in these products, you can count
on us to provide excellent technical depth for the expanded
product line.
We are excited to introduce a new corporate image in January.
Visit us at the 2010 IPE at booth #4655 in Atlanta and take a look
at our new branding. Our positioning is based upon “Prevention
first.”, reflecting our current global presence as a leader in
animal health protection. By discovering, making and marketing
vaccines and nutritional products, we are committed to being
your partner in producing healthy animals for successful meat
and egg production.
Winslow, Maine 04901, USA
375 China Road
Lohmann Animal Health International
(+1) 207-873 3989
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