COMMERCIALIZATION OF FORMALINIZED LIVER-ORGAN-VACCINE AGAINST HYDROPERICARDIUM SYNDROME (HPS)

Poultry industry in Pakistan has been confronted with a number of problems. Infectious diseases are the real threat to the flourishing poultry industry in Pakistan. Among these Hydropericardium syndrome (HPS) is of utmost importance. It affects broiler chickens in particular with colossal economic loss. The syndrome that occurred as a unique malady in the history of the country was firstly observed in the broiler growing area of Angara Goth in Karachi in August 1987 and extended rapidly among broiler units in densely populated areas surrounding the major cities. The syndrome is typically seen in 3-5 weeks old broiler chickens with a mortality of 30 -60% and is characterized by accumulation of straw colored fluid in the pericardium, swollen discolored and friable liver and pale enlarged kidneys.

The principle method to control the disease is by vaccination. Killed vaccines are available commercially but lack standard operating procedures (SOP) and good manufacturing practices (GMP) resulting in low quality vaccine. Titer of the seed virus is usually low in the final product that leads to poor immune response. Presence of contaminant biological materials further exacerbates the disease problem. Therefore there is need to develop a vaccine that is sterility, safety, potency tested and free of extraneous agents.

The liver specimens from acute freshly dead HPS cases are collected and washed with distilled water. The organs are homogenized in a blender to make 20% suspension in 0.9% saline solution. The suspension is sonicated in batches at 50 watts using 119 mm probe for 3 minutes, then centrifuged at 5000 rpm for 10 minutes. The biological titer (LD50) of the supernatant is determined in 04 weeks old broiler chicks. Formaldehyde (37%) is added at 0.3% concentration. Penicillin and streptomycin are added at 10,000 IU and 10 mg per ml respectively. Preparation is left at 4C^° for 24 hours. Laboratory and field trials of the formalinized liver organ HPS vaccine has been conducted and produced encouraging results.