Development of a Microalgal-Based Oral Vaccine Delivery System for Poultry

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The impetus to raise wholesome food products with limited use of antimicrobial agents has provided new challenges to poultry producers. Intensive production is a main feature that contributes to the productivity and efficiency of the poultry industry. A consequence of intensive production is the increased risk of the spread of infectious diseases. Respiratory diseases are a major cause of mortality and approximately 90% of all the condemnations in chickens are due to airsaculitis and septicemia. Producers and poultry health specialists have continually rated respiratory diseases as the most economically significant group of poultry diseases. Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) attacks the bursa of Fabricius of young chickens resulting in bursal lymphocytolysis and immunosuppression. Vaccination, is effective but costly, and is the primary means for controlling infectious bursal disease in the poultry industry. We anticipate that our microalgal oral vaccine delivery system will provide an economical method of delivering vaccines in poultry operations. This will result in healthier animals, thus a better and less costly product for the producer and consumer. Our technology will also reduce the amount of antibiotics used thus reducing the potential for developing antibiotic resistance. Completion of this SBIR Phase 1 research will also provide the guidelines for testing vaccines against other poultry pathogens. The net effect will be the development of a novel, efficient and effective tool for the sustainable management of disease in commercial animal operations.