Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants

The use of antibiotics by the animal industry has been linked to increasing the risk of developing resistant strains of bacteria. Preventing the likelihood of drug residues in meat products is also important, both for domestic and international trade. For these reasons, the animal production industry is seeking to reduce the use of therapeutic agents by developing non therapeutic strategies for disease control such as effective vaccine use. In recent years inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) in broilers has emerged as an economically important disease in Canada. Certain serotypes and genotypes of fowl adenoviruses (FAdVs) from the genus Aviadenovirus within the family Adenoviridae have been associated with IBH outbreaks. Transmission of adenoviruses occur both horizontally and vertically. Horizontal transmission occurs from one infected bird to another naive bird. Vertical transmission occurs by transmitting adenovrus through eggs to their progeny from infected parent flocks.A preliminary study conducted in Saskatchewan concluded that outbreaks of IBH in broilers are likely due to vertical transmission of adenovirus. Based on the results of this study it would be prudent to develop a vaccine against adenoviruses to control IBH in broilers by vaccinating their parent flocks. Vaccination of broiler parent flocks against viral diseases in the broiler industry is in common practice. Thus, the proposed studies are aimed at elucidating the mechanisms through which adenovirus vaccines control IBH and develop an effective vaccine for use by the broiler industry. Findings of the proposed studies are expected to facilitate the establishment and maintenance of animal health and prevention of diseases.