Safety and efficacy of 9R live attenuated vaccine against fowl typhoid in partridge's species.

Fowl typhoid is a significant avian disease worldwide affecting mainly chickens, turkeys and other bird species, such as partridges. In Morocco, the disease causes a high mortality rate in farmed partridges. Vaccination of partridges is a priority to preserve the breed however; the vaccine has never been evaluated in this species. The study was conducted to assess safety and efficacy of a locally produced Salmonella 9R live vaccine in partridges. Groups of vaccinated partridges received the vaccine at 6 weeks of age, followed by a second injection 6 weeks after. The challenge test was performed at 14 weeks with Salmonella gallinarum MSG1 virulent strain. The challenge demonstrated 65 % protection in vaccinated challenged partridges, with a reduction in organ invasion compared to unvaccinated control birds, which exhibited 70,6 % mortality. The live attenuated 9R vaccine, could be safely used to reduce flock losses and contribute to the reduction of infection.