The Impact of Vaccination Route on Mycoplasma Gallisepticum Vaccine Efficacy

Mycoplasma gallisepticum infection can lead to major financial losses for poultry producers. Control of M. gallisepticum infection in the layer industry is generally obtained through vaccination due to the nature of the multi-aged flocks in the facilities. Live vaccines can provide significant protection from the pathogenic effects of M. gallisepticum infection. However, differing management practices, including vaccination procedures, can lead to significant variations in the efficacy of the same vaccine. The site of vaccine deposition has been shown to be one important factor significantly influencing the vaccination outcome. Previous research has shown that vaccine applied to the eyes or sprayed on the head is significantly more effective than when sprayed on the body. Vaccine application to the eyes, through the nares (nasal), and 2 routes through the oral cavity were studied to further characterize the most efficient route for delivery. Results of this work demonstrate that eye drop vaccination is significantly more effective than nasal vaccination, and vaccine delivered through the oral cavity has a negligible contribution to overall vaccination outcome.