The Effect of Egg-Derived Antibody on Prevention of Avian Influenza Subtype H9N2 in Layer Chicken

Abstract

Avian Influenza (AI) is a contagious disease of poultry which caused by type A influenza virus. In the present outbreak of AI in Iran, the isolates (H₉N₂) were characterized as a low pathogenic form of the virus. Outbreaks due to H₉N₂ subtypes have been reported in many countries. Because the common methods of control of outbreaks of AI may not be very effective to prevent and control of this disease, we decided to study the effect of egg derived antibody on reducing morbidity and spread of virus in a population of chickens by using so-called transmission experiments. Birds in test group (which received antibody in drinking water) had lower morbidity (p<0.05) and virus shedding compared to the control group. Our experiments demonstrate that administration of egg derived antibody (Ab) to chickens, not only may protect birds against this disease but is also an effective strategy to reduce transmission of AI virus. Therefore, egg derived specific antibody can be an attractive tool to prevent outbreaks of AI viruses in poultry, thereby achieving the aim of eliminating the source of human infections.