Project Number: 6612-32000-051-12
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Apr 06, 2007
End Date: Sep 30, 2008

Objective:
a) To evaluate protection from highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) using a novel recombinant salmonella vaccine expressing the M2e gene of AI and b) to characterize the serologic response following challenge.

Approach:
A salmonella-vectored vaccine expressing the M2e gene of avian influenza will be grown at the University of Arkansas. Groups of 8-10, one-day-old chickens will be inoculated with the vaccine. After 28 days, the birds will be transported to SEPRL for challenge with both HPAI H5N1 and LPAI under BSL3Ag conditions. Protective immunity will be evaluated by morbidity/mortality to challenge, with oral and cloacal swabs taken to determine viral shedding. Humoral immunity will be evaluated by virus neutralization.