New Method Boosts rHVT Poultry Vaccine Production and Efficiency
- A new production method for recombinant herpesvirus of turkey (rHVT) vaccines has increased vaccine titers fivefold and improved infectivity by 300%, according to a study led by Dr.
- The research, funded by USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation, found that using a Diploid Growth Serum Reduced (DGSR) medium also reduced dose variability by half compared to conventional...
- The study, designated as Project #BRU-19, targeted the inherent difficulties of producing rHVT vaccines.
A new production method for recombinant herpesvirus of turkey (rHVT) vaccines has increased vaccine titers fivefold and improved infectivity by 300%, according to a study led by Dr. Isabel M. Gimeno at North Carolina State University.
The research, funded by USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation, found that using a Diploid Growth Serum Reduced (DGSR) medium also reduced dose variability by half compared to conventional media. These findings were published in a summary on the USPOULTRY website.
Breaking the Consistency Barrier with DGSR Medium
The study, designated as Project #BRU-19, targeted the inherent difficulties of producing rHVT vaccines. Because these vaccines are cell-associated, the virus must be contained within living cells—a requirement that often complicates production and leads to inconsistent dosing.
The DGSR medium was developed as an alternative to traditional serum-based cultures. In laboratory settings, it demonstrated superior performance. Vaccines produced via DGSR matched or exceeded the results of conventional methods in terms of safety, replication, and protective efficacy.
Scaling Protection Against Poultry Diseases
rHVT vaccines are widely used to protect poultry against important diseases. By reducing dose variability by half, the research team suggests a significant step forward in addressing the variability.
For manufacturers, the shift could mean higher production efficiency, lower costs, and more uniform dosing at hatcheries.
From the International Poultry Expo to the Lab
Dr. Gimeno conducted the work within the Department of Population Health and Pathobiology at North Carolina State University. The project received support from USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation.
The funding had a direct link to industry events; USPOULTRY noted that proceeds generated from the International Poultry Expo, part of the International Production & Processing Expo, helped fund the project. This aligns with a broader research program spanning all stages of poultry and egg production and processing.
The Path to Commercial Scalability
USPOULTRY stated that the research summary can be found on the USPOULTRY website.