SOURCE: OVC BULLETIN
Compounds that induce a rapid immune response in poultry could prevent future outbreaks of avian influenza virus, says Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) pathobiology professor Dr. Shayan Sharif.
Sharif is manipulating Pathogen Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs) — conserved molecules present in all microbes, such as bacteria and viruses — that trigger rapid immune responses in poultry. PAMPs can be administered to poultry flocks in a spray form. The micro-droplets are inhaled by the birds, and proceed through their respiratory and gastrointestinal systems on the same path that an avian influenza virus would take.
There, PAMPs target the immune system within the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts (where avian influenza replicates) and then mount a robust response against any virus present in those tissues.
Sharif says that PAMPs could be one of the solutions in outbreak situations. PAMPs can induce immunity in a matter of hours – much faster than traditional vaccines, and fast enough to protect flocks in an outbreak situation.
Read the full story on the University of Guelph, Office of Research website.