The immune response of the chick following viral vaccinations and immunization with sheep red blood cells.

The effects of viral vaccinations and immunization with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) on the humoral response of pullets were investigated. Pullets were vaccinated with Marek's disease virus, Newcastle disease virus (NDV), infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), and infectious bursal disease virus at appropriate ages used in commercial practice. At seven weeks, the pullets were intramuscularly immunized with SRBC. NDV and IBV antibodies were detected by hemagglutination-inhibition tests. Hemagglutination (HA) titers were established against SRBC. IBV antibody titers were not affected by vaccination or by immunization with SRBC. NDV antibody titers were significantly increased by vaccination and by immunization with SRBC. The SRBC agglutinin response was also positively affected by vaccination. The HA titer increase consisted of a rise in 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME)-sensitive antibodies and a fall in 2-ME-resistant antibodies.