Duck viral enteritis (duck plague) characteristics and immune response of the host.

Duck viral enteritis (DVE) is caused by a herpesvirus whose biologic and physical characteristics are similar to those described for the group of herpesviruses. Only one immunologic and serologic type is known. A low level of neutralizing antibodies is developed in waterfowl vaccinated with the chicken embryo attenuated DVE virus. A marked anamnestic serologic response resulted from challenge with virulent virus. Waterfowl resisting exposure with virulent virus were solidly immune. However, waterfowl which possessed moderate level of neutralizing antibodies succumbed when their immunity was challenged with virulent virus when secondary or latent microbial invaders were present. This may partially explain the lack of correlation between the levels of neutralizing antibodies and mortality from infection with DVE virulent virus.