In a significant stride towards enhancing poultry health, researchers are exploring the potential of a novel oral vaccine against Salmonella, a notorious adversary in the chicken industry. Reyhaneh Sadat Moosavi-Kohnehsari, a researcher at the Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, East Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University in Tehran, Iran, leads this promising initiative. The focus is on a multi-epitope vaccine developed using a live microbial cell factory derived from Lactococcus lactis, a non-pathogenic bacterium.
Salmonella infection not only poses a serious health risk to poultry but also inflicts considerable economic strain on the industry. Traditional vaccination methods often fall short in providing the robust intestinal mucosal immunity needed to combat various Salmonella serotypes effectively. This is where the innovative approach of Moosavi-Kohnehsari and her team comes into play. By utilizing reverse vaccinology, they engineered a multi-epitope vector capable of eliciting a strong immune response in chickens.
The results are intriguing. Birds administered the L. lactis/pNZ8121-Multi epitope vaccine exhibited marked increases in interferon (IFN-γ) and NFkB1α levels, along with heightened transcription rates of crucial cytokines. Notably, there was a significant presence of IgY antibodies specific to the multi-epitope gene in the serum of these birds. This indicates not just a reaction to the vaccine but a proactive defense mechanism being established within the poultry.
Moosavi-Kohnehsari emphasizes the importance of this approach. “What we are seeing is a potential shift in how we can utilize food-grade, non-pathogenic bacterial vectors to create effective vaccines,” she says. “This method could pave the way for sustainable and safe immunological products that can be easily integrated into existing poultry farming practices.”
The implications for the poultry industry are profound. As producers seek ways to enhance biosecurity and reduce reliance on antibiotics, an effective oral vaccine could serve as a game changer. It offers a dual advantage: protecting bird health while also addressing consumer concerns about antibiotic use in livestock.
This research, published in the journal Poultry Science, not only contributes to the scientific understanding of vaccine development but also holds commercial promise. By providing a strategy that could lead to more resilient poultry populations, it supports the broader goal of sustainable agricultural practices. As the industry continues to grapple with the challenges posed by pathogens like Salmonella, innovations like this one could become crucial in shaping a healthier future for poultry farming.