Author(s):
V. VAN HAMME, R. SPAEPEN, N. SMEETS
Abstract:
Vaccination is used as a control and prevention tool for infectious bursal disease (IBDV) inpoultry. A new strategy for improving vaccination efficiency is the use of in-feed immune modulatingingredients. The aim of this study was to test if the use of beta-(1,3)-glucans in feed canenhance IBDV vaccination. The trial was conducted in ROSS 308 broilers. In the study, a negativecontrol group (not vaccinated, not supplemented), a positive control group (vaccinated, notsupplemented) and a treated group (vaccinated, supplemented with beta-(1,3)-glucan) were included.All broilers, except the negative control, were orally vaccinated at 18 days of age with alive IBDV vaccine. Blood samples were taken at day 18 and 35 to measure antibody titers againstIBDV. Serological analysis showed the presence of maternal derived antibodies at time of vaccinationin some birds. The beta-(1,3)-glucan supplemented birds showed decreased CV% (coefficientof variation) and significantly increased average antibody titers compared to non-supplementedvaccinated birds. Additionally, the beta-(1,3)-glucan group showed increased number ofbirds with antibody titers above the titer threshold for protective immunity. The results obtainedin the current trial clearly indicate that beta-(1,3)-glucan can increase seroconversion and serologicalresponse to IBDV vaccination.