The pathogenesis of infectious avian encephalomyelitis. 4. The effect of maternal antibody on the development of the disease.

Infectious avian encephalomyelitis virus (IAEV) maternal antibody was detected in the serum of chickens for up to 21 days following hatching. This antibody protected chickens against clinical IAE after intracerebral inoculation with van Roekel strain or oral administration of the NSW-1 strain of IAEV. Maternal antibody to IAEV also protected testosterone bursectomised chickens against the development of clinical disease. IAEV maternal antibody also influeced the pattern of virus excretion in faeces and serological responsiveness. This influence on antibody responses persisted beyond the time that IAEV maternal antibody could be detected. The importance of IAEV maternal antibody on the strategy of vaccination against IAE is discussed.