Development of a novel phage-displayed fusion protein of newcastle disease virus as a highly specific antigen for serological assays.

Newcastle disease virus is one of the most highly contagious infections impacting poultry industries worldwide. This study aimed to develop a bacteriophage display system as a cost-effective and immunogenic method for expressing the immunodominant region of the Newcastle Disease Virus Fusion (F) protein for use in serological assays. Both in-silico and in-vitro analyses indicated that the selected antigen is stable, accurate, and reliable for further in-vivo studies. The displayed antigen successfully detected NDV-GVII-specific antibodies in vaccinated chickens. Additionally, a significant correlation was observed between ELISA and HI test results on chicken serum samples. This approach addresses safety concerns associated with wild-type virulent NDVs and offers improved diagnostic accuracy and scalability, aligning with industry needs for improved Newcastle disease detection, control, and management on poultry farms.