Pfizer Poultry Health examines the theory behind the working mechanism of Bursaplex
DURHAM, N.C.--Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) is an ongoing threat to
the poultry industry. Fortunately, controlling it is a challenge that
can be met efficiently and effectively with Bursaplex, a revolutionary
Antigen Antibody Complex (AAC) vaccine developed by the scientists from
the Poultry Health Division of Pfizer Animal Health (PPH). For over a
decade, Bursaplex has consistently aided poultry producers worldwide to
raise healthy flocks.
IBD is an acute and highly contagious viral infection of young chicks.
It affects the bursa of Fabricius (BF), a highly specialized avian organ
that assists birds in producing antibodies, much the same as bone marrow
in mammals. When the immune system is compromised by IBD, birds become
less capable of responding to vaccinations, and, at the same time, are
more susceptible to all types of infectious diseases.
While several IBDV vaccine options are commercially available, Bursaplex
offers a unique mode of action created by the vaccine’s Antigen Antibody
Complex (AAC) technology.
“We start with an active intermediate plus strain of IBDV, then combine
it with an appropriate ratio of specific antiserum,” explains Dr. Alan
Avakian, senior manager, Viral Vaccines at Pfizer Animal Health
Veterinary Medicine Research & Development (VMRD). “The result of this
patented process is a vaccine virus presented to the immune system as an
immune complex, versus a simple, live virus as with conventional IBD
vaccines.”
Many conventional IBDV vaccines, particularly those classified as
“mild,” are not compatible with the maternal immunity present in the
chick at hatch. Such vaccines are administered via drinking water, and
in some cases via aerosol spray ranging from day 7 to day 21 post-hatch.
Often, they must be administered multiple times. Their efficacy depends
on timely delivery after maternal immunity has subsided, but before
clinical disease has become established. This presents a unique timing
challenge, particularly in the case of commingled flocks from multiple
breeder sources in which the strength and duration of maternal immunity
can vary greatly among birds.
Vaccination with Bursaplex, on the other hand, takes place routinely
before chicks are even hatched via in ovo administration with the
Embrex® Inovoject® System. Instead of being overcome or eliminated by
maternal immunity, Bursaplex works in conjunction with maternal
immunity, releasing active IBDV and stimulating the immune system to
produce antibodies just as maternal immunity wanes. The result: a flock
with an early, strong, uniform and long-lasting immunity to IBDV.
“Bursaplex reliably reduces the window of susceptibility to IBDV by
generating early and uniform immunity to the flock and by eliminating
the need for guesswork and additional labor associated with IBD control
efforts,” says Diana María Alcázar, marketing manager for PPH. “With
Bursaplex, one dose is all it takes to help protect flocks with the most
effective IBD vaccine technology available.”
In addition to the in ovo route, Bursaplex also may be
administered to chicks at hatch via subcutaneous injection.
The Poultry Health Division of Pfizer Animal Health is a leading
provider of innovative, high-performance poultry health solutions to the
global poultry industry. Built upon the combined strength and experience
of Embrex and Pfizer Animal Health, the Pfizer Poultry Health is
committed to developing and marketing commercially novel vaccines and
mechanical and data management products which continue to provide
increasing value to the global poultry health industry. For more
information about the Pfizer Poultry Health, visit us online at www.pfizerpoultryhealth.com.
For More Information:
Melinda Freson
Pfizer Poultry Health
919-314-2698
melinda.freson@pfizer.com
or
Jill Spiekerman-Carrothers
MartinWilliams
515-971-9613
j.spiekerman@martinwilliams.com