Baculovirus-expressed muscovy duck reovirus σC protein induces serum neutralizing antibodies and protection against challenge

Recombinant baculoviruses with σC- or σB-encoding gene from muscovy duck reovirus (DRV) were constructed. Western-blot analysis showed that σC was more immunoreactive than σB. Vaccination of SPF ducks with two injections, 3 weeks apart, of emulsions containing σC or <F>σC+σB</F> elicited DRV-specific neutralizing antibodies. Following challenge, vaccination partially—or even totally in some cases—prevented the appearance of clinical symptoms. Moreover, immunization reduced the severity of reovirus-induced tenosynovitis and prevented pericarditis development during the course of the assay. Thus, DRV σC, alone or co-expressed with σB, appeared as a good candidate for vaccination of ducks (96/100 mots). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]