Avian sarcoma/leukosis virus (RCAS)-mediated over-expression of IFITM3 protects chicks from highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H5N1.

Broad-spectrum antiviral activities of interferon-induced transmembrane proteins (IFITMs) are primarily attributed to in vitro inhibition of viral entry. Here, we used an avian sarcoma-leukosis virus (RCAS)-based gene transfer system and successfully generated chicks that constitutively express chicken IFITM3 (chIFITM3). The chIFITM3-overexpressing chicks showed significant protection and disease tolerance against highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 (Clade 2.2.1.2). The chicks, overexpressing chIFITM3, also showed delayed onset of clinical symptoms, reduced viral shedding, and alleviated histopathologic alterations compared to control and challenged chicks. These findings highlight that overexpression of chIFITM3 provide a substantial defense against zoonotic H5N1 in vivo.

Pathogenicity and vaccine efficacy of two virulent infectious laryngotracheitis virus strains in Egypt.

Infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) is an economically crucial respiratory disease of poultry that affects the industry worldwide. Vaccination is the principal tool in the control of the disease outbreak. In an earlier study, we comprehensively characterized the circulating strains in Egypt and identified both CEO-like and recombinant strains are dominant. Herein, we investigated the pathogenicity of two virulent strains representing the CEO-like (Sharkia_2018) and recombinant strain (Qalubia_2018). Additionally, we evaluated the efficacy of different commercial vaccines (HVT-LT, CEO, and TCO) against the two isolates in terms of the histopathological lesion scores and the viral (gC) gene load. A total of 270 White Leghorn-specific pathogen-free male chicks were divided into nine groups of 30 birds, each housed in separate isolators. Birds were distributed as follows; one group was non-vaccinated, non-challenged, and served as a negative control. Two groups were non-vaccinated and infected with the two isolates of interest and served as a positive control to test the pathogenicity. Six groups were vaccinated and challenged; two groups were vaccinated with vector vaccine at one day old. The other four groups were vaccinated with either the CEO- or TCO- vaccine (two groups each) at four weeks of age. Three weeks after vaccination, birds were infected with the virulent ILTV isolates. The larynx, trachea, and harderian gland samples were taken at 1, 3, and 7 days post-infection for histopathological lesion score and molecular detection. Notably, The recombinant strain was more virulent and pathogenic than CEO-like ILTV strains. Moreover, the TCO vaccine was less immunogenic than the vector and CEO vaccines.

Saponin-adjuvanted vaccine protects chickens against velogenic Newcastle disease virus.

Despite extensive vaccination campaigns, Newcastle disease virus (NDV) remains endemic in many countries worldwide, and factors that contribute to this failure include mismatched vaccines, partial immunization, and poor husbandry practices. In order to overcome the problem of genetic divergence between circulating field strains and vaccine strains, we saponin-adjuvanted an Egyptian field strain and assessed its safety and immunogenicity in chickens. Immunization of chickens with the vaccine followed by challenge with a velogenic reference strain revealed the potential of the saponin-adjuvanted vaccine to induce a strong immune response that resulted in complete protection of chickens. Importantly, in vaccinated chickens, virus shedding was abolished, providing an added advantage over the currently available commercial live-attenuated and inactivated vaccines, which are unable to prevent shedding. A histopathological investigation demonstrated that the vaccinated chickens had less-severe lesions than challenged unvaccinated and mock-vaccinated chickens. We propose using this formulation as an alternative and improved NDV vaccine platform that can be exploited to control disease not only in Egypt but also in other disease-endemic countries.