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Bursaplex® Helps Deliver Single Dose IBD Control

January 28, 2009

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

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