Influence of B-haplotype on the relative efficacy of Marek's disease vaccines of different serotypes.

To determine if B-haplotype differentially influences vaccinal immunity to very virulent Marek's disease (MD) virus challenge, chickens of five 15.B-congenic lines were vaccinated with vaccines representing serotypes 1, 2, and 3. B-haplotype differentially influenced vaccinal immunity to very virulent MD virus challenge using vaccines of all three serotypes, and different MD vaccines were optimal for some B-haplotypes. Regarding specific haplotypes, the 15.B-congenic chickens with B2 and B13 developed less protection against MD than chickens with B15 following vaccination with all three serotypes of MD vaccine, whereas the chickens with B5 and B21 developed variable protection with different MD vaccines. Thus, for induction of maximum MD resistance, it may be necessary to select a vaccine appropriate for the predominant B-haplotypes of the chicken flock.