Author: Rachel Wood
Identification of African swine fever virus antigens for vaccine development
Scientists at The Pirbright Institute have identified African swine fever virus (ASFV) proteins that can induce cellular and humoral immune responses in pigs. Published in Frontiers in Immunology, the study shows that when some pigs were challenged with a virulent strain of ASFV after receiving a vaccine that included the identified proteins, the level of […]
Chicken cells gene-edited to resist Influenza A virus
Scientists have used gene-editing techniques to stop Influenza A virus from replicating in chicken cells in vitro. They speculate in the journal eLife that it might be possible to generate a gene-edited chicken that is resilient to influenza. Researchers at Imperial College London found that during an infection, Influenza A viruses hijack the cell protein […]
Breed-dependent immune responses to Newcastle disease virus identified
An international team of scientists, led by researchers at Pennsylvania State University, have identified genes they hope could help create chickens more resilient to Newcastle disease virus (NDV). The researchers used a chick embryo model to study innate immune responses of inbred sublines of Fayoumi and Leghorn breeds, known to differ in susceptibility to NDV. […]
Global initiative to control African swine fever
During the 87th General Session of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), held 26-31 May 2019, a report on the global African swine fever (ASF) situation was presented to the Assembly. Throughout the second semester of 2018, 25 countries across Europe, Africa and Asia informed the OIE of outbreaks of African swine fever on […]
Project aims to develop African swine fever antivirals
The Pirbright Institute has announced that it will partner with the Belgian biotechnology company ViroVet to develop the first antiviral drugs that act against African swine fever virus (ASFV). In the absence of a vaccine, antiviral drugs could provide an alternative control method which would help limit clinical signs in pigs and lower virus replication. […]
Model identifies hotspots for lumpy skin disease
Researchers have combined two computer models to identify areas at highest risk for outbreaks of Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) in cattle. The models could help officials determine where to send resources ahead of outbreaks and serve as a potential early warning system for cattle farmers in affected areas. Although LSDV is endemic to Africa, […]
Infectious bronchitis vaccines: study highlights the need for targeted genetic modification of viruses
Scientists at The Pirbright Institute have shown that Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) vaccines produced in eggs have unpredictable mutations which may be prone to reversion in the field. Live attenuated vaccines, where IBV is weakened so that it causes less severe or no disease, are used in the field as they offer better protection compared […]
ASFV vaccine candidate tested in wild boar
An article published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science describes the experimental vaccination of wild boar against African swine fever virus (ASFV). Oral immunization of wild boar with a non-haemadsorbing, attenuated ASFV of genotype II conferred 92% protection against challenge with a virulent ASF virus isolate (Arm07). “African swine fever is of enormous concern to the […]
Strategies to increase adoption of animal vaccines by smallholder farmers
An article in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases outlines strategies that can be used to increase the adoption of animal vaccines by smallholder farmers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, with focus on the control of neglected tropical diseases, particularly neglected zoonotic diseases (NZDs). The authors – Meritxell Donadeu, Nick Nwankpa, Bernadette Abela-Ridder and Baptiste Dungu […]
Chicken antiviral proteins: study of genetic variation across breeds
A collaborative study led by The Pirbright Institute and Imperial College London has identified variations in the genes of chicken antiviral proteins called interferon-induced transmembrane proteins (IFITMs) which could have an impact on their ability to fight viral infections. This is the first study to look at the natural genetic variation of IFITM genes across […]