title: Immunization of turkeys with a DNA vaccine expressing either the F or N gene of avian metapneumovirus.
abstract: In this study we compared protection by DNA vaccination with the F (pCMV-F) or N (pCMV-N) gene from avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) in turkeys. One-week-old turkey poults received two intramuscular injections 2 wk apart. Birds were challenged with a turkey-embryo-adapted aMPV at 5 wk of age. Birds vaccinated with pCMV-F had decreased clinical signs of disease as well as significantly reduced virus load in tracheal swabs compared with birds vaccinated with pCMV-N or unvaccinated control birds. Serum neutralizing antibodies were significantly higher in birds receiving pCMV-F compared with all other groups. These results indicate that DNA vaccination with the F, but not N, gene of aMPV can induce significant protection against aMPV infection.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, Southeast Poultry Research United States Department of Agriculture, 934 College Station Road, Athens, GA 30605, USA.
authors.forename: Darrell R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Kapczynski
authors.forename: Holly S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Sellers
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D001483:Base Sequence; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D017931:DNA Primers; D005814:Genes, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D029121:Metapneumovirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D009500:Neutralization Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D018184:Paramyxoviridae Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010957:Plasmids / Q000276:immunology; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D014162:Transfection; D014422:Turkeys / Q000276:immunology*; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014709:Vero Cells
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D017931:DNA Primers; D019444:Vaccines, DNA