Studies on Pasteurella multocida. VII. Dynamics and temporal development of local humoral immunity induced by a live avirulent fowl cholera vaccine.

Vaccination of turkeys by administering the CU strain of Pasteurella multocida in drinking water induced local antibodies in the tracheal secretions. Their appearance and persistence were demonstrated by the indirect immunofluorescence technique. Local antibodies were induced by the 10th day and persisted up to the 42nd day postvaccination, whereas none were induced by an oil-adjuvanted bacterin throughout the observation period (56 days). Thus, the CU strain of P. multocida appeared to generate a local humoral immunity in the respiratory system whereas the bacterin did not.