Authors : Clara N. Kwanashie, Jarlath U. Umoh, Haruna M. Kazeem and Paul A. Abdu
Abstract: There is a scarcity of information on the effect of vaccine against aspergillosis in Zaria and Kaduna areas. Thus, this study was conducted to determine the efficacy of an Aspergillus fumigatus germling vaccine. The methodologies used in this study included Aspergillus spore production, determination of LD50, preparation of the germling vaccine and testing the efficacy on broiler chicks. Three groups of 4 days old broilers were exposed to 4.2-5.8x108 cfu g-1 lung tissue of A. fumigatus. The calculated amount of A. fumigatus that killed 50% of the broilers was 5.8x107.4. A. fumigatus was recovered 4 weeks post exposure. A germling vaccine of A. fumigatus was administered to 4 days old broilers using the ocular route. The trial vaccine showed 40% protection when administered to chicks 2 weeks prior to challenge with A. fumigatus spores. It is recommended that levels of A. fumigatus spores should not rise to 5.8x107.4 cfu g-1 lung tissue in poultry houses. Adjuvants can be added to the vaccine to raise the level of protection using different routes of administration and vaccinating at an older age.
Clara N. Kwanashie, Jarlath U. Umoh, Haruna M. Kazeem and Paul A. Abdu, 2012. Trial of Aspergillus fumigatus Vaccine in Broiler Chicks. Research Journal of Animal Sciences, 6: 72-75.