Young broiler chicks have a lot to do when they first hatch. Vaccinations, then a truck ride to their new home just to face disease challenges such as Escherichia coli and other bacterial infections. Bacterial infections can be devastating to both the birds and the producers that raise them. We have previously studied an immune simulant (CpG-ODN) works like antibiotics, protecting chicks against E. coli. This protection was only good for about 6 days unfortunately.
Recently, we discovered a new and exciting concept, called “trained immunity”. By administering CpG-ODN in ovo followed by intrapulmonary administration induced trained immunity and protected chickens throughout their whole life.We also found that intrapulmonary delivery allows for a “crosstalk” between the lungs and gut, known as the gut-lung axis (GLA). We are currently evaluating intrapulmonary delivery of CpG-ODN along with other vaccines to further protect birds and improve animal welfare and food safety and will be further studying both trained immunity and the GLA.
