Assessment of immunogenic activity of Newcastle disease vaccines

Introduction. Newcastle disease (ND) is reported in many countries worldwide, where it sometimes assumes an epizootic nature. Newcastle disease virus (NDV) genotype VII, which has been actively circulating in recent years, is highly virulent and raises concern due to its ability to undergo rapid mutation. In the context of intensive poultry farming, special attention must be paid to the specific prevention of this disease, including the use of effective vaccines to protect poultry flocks.

Objective. To determine the immunogenic activity of three inactivated Newcastle disease vaccines in chickens following challenge with NDV genotype VII.

Materials and methods. Three vaccines against Newcastle disease were tested: a monovalent vaccine (LaSota antigen), ARRIAH-AviNew Multi, and ARRIAH-AviNew-Flu Multi (containing ARRIAH G7 and LaSota antigens). The antigens were diluted with saline solution at ratios of 1:25, 1:50, and 1:100 or used undiluted, and then emulsified with Coralvac RZ 528 adjuvant. Each vaccine sample was administered at a volume of 0.5 cm³ intramuscularly into the pectoral muscle to 10 four-week-old egg-type chickens per group. The control group remained unvaccinated. The antibody titers were determined using the hemagglutination inhibition test at day 28 post-vaccination, and the chickens were challenged with a virulent strain of NDV genotype VII.

Results. All tested vaccines induced strong post-vaccination immunity against NDV by day 28 post inoculation to birds and met the requirements of the World Organisation for Animal Health. However, the ARRIAH-AviNew Multi and ARRIAH-AviNewFlu Multi vaccines demonstrated a higher level of protective efficacy following challenge with an NDV genotype VII isolate compared to the monovalent vaccine based on LaSota antigen.

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