Protection of turkeys from hemorrhagic enteritis with a recombinant fowl poxvirus expressing the native hexon of hemorrhagic enteritis virus

Hemorrhagic enteritis (HE) is an economically important disease of turkeys caused by a type II aviadenovirus, hemorrhagic enteritis virus (HEV). The v accines currently available to the commercial poultry producer are highly e ffective in preventing disease outbreaks; however, they are immunosuppressi ve. A recombinant fowl poxvirus (rFPV) expressing the native hexon of HEV h as been shown to induce an anti-HEV humoral immune response in turkeys. In this study, the rFPV expressing the native hexon of HEV was compared with a commercial HEV vaccine (vxHEV) for its ability to protect turkeys from vir ulent HEV challenge. Complete protection From the enteritis of PIE was achi eved in experimental groups vaccinated with either the rFPV or the vxHEV. L ymphocyte stimulation was measured in turkeys inoculated with rFPV, vxHEV, or a sublethal dose of HEV or nut inoculated. No statistically significant immunodepression was observed in turkeys receiving the rFPV.