Vaccination against infectious laryngotracheitis of chickens: determination of immunity following eyedrop or spray vaccination using serology and challenge infections
Redmann, T.; Buken, B.; Kaleta, E.F.; Luders, H.; Siegmann, O.
Deutsche Tierärztliche Wochenschrift 90(4): 137-141
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0341-6593 PMID: 6305625 Document Number: 197413
Chickens and laying hens were vaccinated against infectious (avian) laryngotracheitis virus (ILT) at 7 and 14 weeks of age by eye-drop or aerosol. Formation and persistence of neutralizing antibodies did not differ significantly with route of administration. Antibodies were detected up to 69 weeks of age and titres were constant throughout the period of observation. Unvaccinated contact chickens showed the same pattern of formation and persistence of antibodies against ILT virus when compared with vaccinated chickens. When immunity was examined by challenge infection with a virulent strain of ILT virus none of the vaccinated or contact infected chickens developed the disease. However, a group of chickens which were unvaccinated and free of antibodies did develop the disease.