Development of a new vaccine against turkey meningo-encephalitis using a virus passaged through the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

Turkey meningo-encephalitis virus could be adapted to the Japanese quail by intra-cerebral inoculation. After 4 passages the virus was found to be less pathogenic for the turkey. Further attenuation could be achieved by growing the virus in Japanese quail kidney cell cultures for 11 passages. This attenuated virus was used for the preparation of a live vaccine against turkey meningo-encephalitis. The safety and efficacy of the vaccine was shown in laboratory and field experiments.