Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a multivalent herpesvirus vectored vaccine against H9N2 low pathogenic avian influenza in chicken.

The application of recombinant herpesvirus of turkey, expressing the H9 hemagglutinin gene from low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV) H9N2 and the avian orthoavulavirus-1 (AOAV-1) (commonly known as Newcastle Disease virus (NDV)) fusion protein (F) as an rHVT-H9-F vaccine, is an alternative to currently used classical vaccines. This study investigated H9- and ND-specific humoral and mucosal responses, H9-specific cell-mediated immunity, and protection conferred by the rHVT-H9-F vaccine in specific pathogen-free (SPF) chickens. Vaccination elicited systemic NDV F- and AIV H9-specific antibody response but also local antibodies in eye wash fluid and oropharyngeal swabs.

Effectiveness of a Simultaneous rHVT-F(ND) and rHVT-H5(AI) Vaccination of Day-Old Chickens and the Influence of NDV- and AIV-Specific MDA on Immune Response and Conferred Protection.

The recombinant herpesvirus of turkey (rHVT) vaccines targeting Newcastle disease (ND) and H5Nx avian influenza (AI) have been demonstrated efficient in chickens when used individually at day-old. Given the practical field constraints associated with administering two vaccines separately and in the absence of a currently available bivalent rHVT vector vaccine expressing both F(ND) and H5(AI) antigens, the aim of this study was to investigate whether interference occurs between the two vaccines when simultaneously administered in a single shot. The studies have been designed to determine (i) the ND and AI-specific protection and antibody response conferred by these vaccines inoculated alone or in combination at day-old, (ii) the influence of maternally-derived antibodies (MDA), and (iii) the potential interference between the two vaccine.

Specific antibody-mediated immunity in the reproductive tract of laying chickens immunized against Newcastle disease with conventional attenuated and inactivated vaccines.

Despite the widespread and successful use of Newcastle disease (ND) vaccines, Newcastle disease virus (NDV) can seriously injure the reproductive tract of egg-laying hens, leading to rapid egg-drop and poor shell quality. Few published studies investigated local NDV-specific immune response in the reproductive tract after ND vaccination of hens. The present study investigated, for the first time, local NDV-specific antibody-mediated immunity in segments of the oviduct during the laying period.

Intimate partner violence as seen in post-conflict eastern Uganda: prevalence, risk factors and mental health consequences.

Background: Conflict and post-conflict communities in sub-Saharan Africa have a high under recognised problem of intimate partner violence (IPV). Part of the reason for this has been the limited data on IPV from conflict affected sub-Saharan Africa. This paper reports on the prevalence, risk factors and mental health consequences of IPV victimisation in both gender as seen in post-conflict eastern Uganda.

Quantification of rHVT-F genome load in feather follicles by specific real-time qPCR as an indicator of NDV-specific humoral immunity induced by day-old vaccination in SPF chickens.

The purpose of this study was to look for a reliable molecular method for confirmation of uptake of recombinant turkey herpesvirus vaccine against Newcastle disease (rHVT-F) and for use as a valuable prediction tool of Newcastle disease virus (NDV)-specific immune response in chickens deprived of maternally derived antibody (MDA). A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time qPCR) specific to rHVT-F was developed. The method was applied to various tissue samples taken from specific pathogen free (SPF) chickens experimentally inoculated at day-old with one dose of rHVT-F vaccine over a 6-week period.