Efficacy of Single Dose of a Bivalent Vaccine Containing Inactivated Newcastle Disease Virus and Reassortant Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Virus against Lethal HPAI and NDV Infection in Chickens

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and Newcastle disease (ND) are 2 devastating diseases of poultry, which cause great economic losses to the poultry industry. In the present study, we developed a bivalent vaccine containing antigens of inactivated ND and reassortant HPAI H5N1 viruses as a candidate poultry vaccine, and we evaluated its immunogenicity and protective efficacy in specific pathogen-free chickens. The 6∶2 reassortant H5N1 vaccine strain containing the surface genes of the A/Chicken/Korea/ES/2003(H5N1) virus was successfully generated by reverse genetics. A polybasic cleavage site of the hemagglutinin segment was replaced by a monobasic cleavage site. We characterized the reverse genetics-derived reassortant HPAI H5N1 clade 2.5 vaccine strain by evaluating its growth kinetics in eggs, minimum effective dose in chickens, and cross-clade immunogenicity against HPAI clade 1 and 2. The bivalent vaccine was prepared by emulsifying inactivated ND (La Sota strain) and reassortant HPAI viruses with Montanide ISA 70 adjuvant. A single immunization with this vaccine induced high levels of hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody titers and protected chickens against a lethal challenge with the wild-type HPAI and ND viruses. Our results demonstrate that the bivalent, inactivated vaccine developed in this study is a promising approach for the control of both HPAI H5N1 and ND viral infections.     

Preparation and Efficacy of a Live Newcastle Disease Virus Vaccine Encapsulated in Chitosan Nanoparticles

Background

Newcastle disease (ND) is a highly contagious viral disease of poultry caused by pathogenic strains of the Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Live NDV vaccines are administered by drinking water, eyedrops or coarse aerosol spray. To further enhance mucosal immune responses, chitosan nanoparticles were developed for the mucosal delivery of a live NDV vaccine.

Methodology/Principal Findings

A lentogenic live-virus vaccine (strain LaSota) against NDV encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles were developed using an ionic crosslinking method. Chitosan nanoparticles containing the lentogenic live-virus vaccine against NDV (NDV-CS-NPs) were produced with good morphology, high stability, a mean diameter of 371.1 nm, an encapsulation rate of 77% and a zeta potential of +2.84 mV. The Western blotting analysis showed that NDV structural proteins were detected in NDV-CS-NPs. The virus release assay results of NDV-CS-NPs indicated that NDV was released from NDV-CS-NPs. Chickens immunized orally or intranasally with NDV-CS-NPs were fully protected whereas one out of five chickens immunized with the LaSota live NDV vaccine and three out of five chickens immunized with the inactivated NDV vaccine were dead after challenge with the highly virulent NDV strain F48E9.

Conclusions/Significance

NDV-CS-NPs induced better protection of immunized specific pathogen free chickens compared to the live NDV vaccine strain LaSota and the inactivated NDV vaccine. This study lays a foundation for the further development of mucosal vaccines and drugs encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles.     

Newcastle Disease Virus Fusion Protein Is the Major Contributor to Protective Immunity of Genotype-Matched Vaccine

Virulent strains of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) can cause devastating disease in chickens worldwide. Although the current vaccines are substantially effective, they do not completely prevent infection, virus shedding and disease. To produce genotype-matched vaccines, a full-genome reverse genetics system has been used to generate a recombinant virus in which the F protein cleavage site has been changed to that of avirulent vaccine virus. In the other strategy, the vaccines have been generated by replacing the F and HN genes of a commercial vaccine strain with those from a genotype-matched virus. However, the protective efficacy of a chimeric virus vaccine has not been directly compared with that of a full-genome virus vaccine developed by reverse genetics. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the protective efficacy of genotype VII matched chimeric vaccines by generating three recombinant viruses based on avirulent LaSota (genotype II) strain in which the open reading frames (ORFs) encoding the F and HN proteins were replaced, individually or together, with those of the circulating and highly virulent Indonesian NDV strain Ban/010. The cleavage site of the Ban/010 F protein was mutated to the avirulent motif found in strain LaSota. In vitro growth characteristics and a pathogenicity test indicated that all three chimeric viruses retained the highly attenuated phenotype of the parental viruses. Immunization of chickens with chimeric and full-length genome VII vaccines followed by challenge with virulent Ban/010 or Texas GB (genotype II) virus demonstrated protection against clinical disease and death. However, only those chickens immunized with chimeric rLaSota expressing the F or F plus HN proteins of the Indonesian strain were efficiently protected against shedding of Ban/010 virus. Our findings showed that genotype-matched vaccines can provide protection to chickens by efficiently preventing spread of virus, primarily due to the F protein.     

Recombinant Newcastle Disease Virus as a Vaccine Vector

A complete cDNA clone of the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccine strain Hitchner B1 was constructed, and infectious recombinant virus expressing an influenza virus hemagglutinin was generated by reverse genetics. The rescued virus induces a strong humoral antibody response against influenza virus and provides complete protection against a lethal dose of influenza virus challenge in mice, demonstrating the potential of recombinant NDV as a vaccine vector.     

鸡新城疫病毒HeB02分离株F基因的克隆及其DNA疫苗的研究

根据GenBank报道的鸡新城疫病毒F基因序列设计了一对引物,以鸡新城疫病毒HeB02分离株基因组为模板,通过RT-PCR扩增出了1·66kb左右的F基因片段,序列分析表明HeB02株F基因与国内标准强毒株F48E9及弱毒疫苗La Sota和Clone30的F基因核苷酸序列的同源性分别为88·1%、84·9%和83·8%。将HeB02株F基因插入真核表达载体pVAX1中,构建了真核表达质粒pSV-F,通过脂质体转染COS-7细胞,SDS-PAGE分析可见表达的特异蛋白条带;Western blot、ELISA和中和试验检测结果表明:真核表达的蛋白与抗新城疫病毒的抗体发生特异性反应,说明F蛋白具有很好的免疫原性。采用活体电击法以真核表达质粒pSV-F免疫3周龄SPF鸡,剂量为50μg/只,3周后加强免疫1次,5周后以100倍鸡胚感染剂量(EID)的F基因同源病毒对所有鸡进行攻毒,攻毒前后每周分别以喉拭子进行病毒分离和HI效价测定。结果显示对照组在攻毒前一直没有检测到抗体效价,攻毒后检测效价为3·0log2±1·40,并且于攻毒后第9天全部死亡;活疫苗组和实验组免疫后第2周检测到抗体效价,第5周最高,HI效价分别为8·3log2±1·30和7·2log2±1·23,攻毒1周后HI效价分别达9·8log2±1·55和8·9log2±1·77,极显著高于对照组(P<0·01)。免疫组未分离到新城疫病毒,对照组全部分离到新城疫病毒。表明所构建的F基因真核表达质粒可作为候选基因疫苗诱导鸡产生免疫保护反应。     

Complete Genome Sequence of a Newcastle Disease Virus Strain Isolated from Broiler Breeder Flocks in China

In 2010 and 2011, several devastating Newcastle disease (ND) outbreaks occurred in China, affecting broilers, layers, and breeders. The CK-JSX1-201005 virus was isolated from broiler breeder flocks vaccinated with the classical ND virus (NDV) vaccine program, but laying rate decreased from 80% to 30 to 40% in the clinic. Here, we report the complete genome sequence and molecular characteristic of the CK-JSX1-201005 NDV. These findings provide additional insights into the genetic variation of NDV circulating in China and are useful for vaccine development for NDV.     

表达新城疫病毒F48E8株融合蛋白基因的重组鸡痘病毒及其免？…

将将城疫病毒（ＮＤＶ）Ｆ４８Ｅ８株融合蛋白基因导入鸡痘病毒（ＦＰＶ）插入载体ｐＥＧＦ１１７５－１的Ｐ７．５启动子下游,得到转移载体ｐＦＧ１１７５－１重组质粒。采用脂质体转染技术,将该质粒转染ＦＰＶ２８２Ｅ株感染的鸡胚成纤维细胞（ＣＥＦ）。,经过多次蓝斑筛选纯化,获稳定的重组病毒ｒＦＰＶ－ＮＤＦ。间接免疫荧光试验表明,ｒＦＰＶ－ＮＤＦ感染的ＣＥＦ中表达了ＮＤＶ的融合蛋白。用ｒＦＰＶ－ＮＤＦ免疫的ＳＦ     

Generation by Reverse Genetics of an Effective,Stable, Live-Attenuated Newcastle Disease Virus Vaccine Based on a Currently Circulating,Highly Virulent Indonesian Strain

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) can cause severe disease in chickens. Although NDV vaccines exist, there are frequent reports of outbreaks in vaccinated chickens. During 2009–2010, despite intense vaccination, NDV caused major outbreaks among commercial poultry farms in Indonesia. These outbreaks raised concern regarding the protective immunity of current vaccines against circulating virulent strains in Indonesia. In this study, we investigated whether a recombinant attenuated Indonesian NDV strain could provide better protection against prevalent Indonesian viruses. A reverse genetics system for the highly virulent NDV strain Banjarmasin/010/10 (Ban/010) isolated in Indonesia in 2010 was constructed. The Ban/010 virus is classified in genotype VII of class II NDV, which is genetically distinct from the commercial vaccine strains B1 and LaSota, which belong to genotype II, and shares only 89 and 87% amino acid identity for the protective antigens F and HN, respectively. A mutant virus, named Ban/AF, was developed in which the virulent F protein cleavage site motif “RRQKR↓F” was modified to an avirulent motif “GRQGR↓L” by three amino acid substitutions (underlined). The Ban/AF vaccine virus did not produce syncytia or plaques in cell culture, even in the presence of added protease. Pathogenicity tests showed that Ban/AF was completely avirulent. Ban/AF replicated efficiently during 10 consecutive passages in chickens and remained genetically stable. Serological analysis showed that Ban/AF induced higher neutralization and hemagglutination inhibition antibody titers against the prevalent viruses than the commercial vaccines B1 or LaSota. Both Ban/AF and commercial vaccines provided protection against clinical disease and mortality after challenge with virulent NDV strain Ban/010 (genotype VII) or GB Texas (genotype II). However, Ban/AF significantly reduced challenge virus shedding from the vaccinated birds compared to B1 vaccine. These results suggest that Ban/AF can provide better protection than commercial vaccines and is a promising vaccine candidate against NDV strains circulating in Indonesia.     

Development and in vitro characterization of a bivalent DNA containing HN and F genes of velogenic Newcastle disease virus

Newcastle disease (ND) is highly contagious, economically important viral disease affecting most of avian species worldwide. Newcastle disease virus (NDV) has single stranded negative sense RNA genome which encodes for six structural and two non-structural proteins. Envelope glycoproteins i.e. hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) and the fusion (F), elicit protective immune response. In this study, HN and F genes of velogenic (virulent) strain were amplified and cloned at multiple cloning sites A and B, respectively into pIRES bicistronic vector for use as bivalent DNA vaccine against ND. The recombinant plasmid was characterized for its orientation by restriction enzyme digestion and PCR. Expression of HN and F genes was assessed in transfected Vero cells at RNA level using RT-PCR in total RNA as well as protein level using IFAT, IPT and western blot using NDV specific antiserum. All these experiments confirmed that HN and F genes cloned in recombinant pIRES.nd.hn.f are functionally active. The recombinant construct is being evaluated as DNA vaccine against ND.     

表达H5亚型AIV血凝素的重组NDV构建及免疫原性

利用反向遗传技术获得表达H5亚型禽流感病毒(AIV)血凝素(HA)的新城疫病毒(NDV)。克隆NDV clone 30的全长基因,通过在NDV的融合蛋白基因和血凝素-神经氨酸酶(HN)基因之间插入编码高致病性AIV分离株A/chicken/italy/8/98(H5N2)的血凝素基因开放阅读框从而获得两株重组新城疫病毒NDVH5和NDVH5m。NDVH5感染的细胞可以检测到两种HA转录产物。对于重组病毒NDVH5m,NDV位于HA ORF的转录终止信号序列被沉默突变消除,产生2.7个全长HA转录产物的折叠,从而使修饰过的HA得到稳定地高表达。1日龄小鸡的脑内接种证实了两种重组病毒均无致病性。鸡群在NDVH5m诱导产生的NDV和H5亚型AIV HA特异性抗体的免疫力下能够免于致死剂量的NDV与高致病性AIV的感染。血清学研究结果表明NDVH5m免疫鸡群产生的抗体可结合NP蛋白抗体的检测从而用于区分免疫和感染AIV的动物。因此,NDVH5m重组病毒可作为抗NDV和AIV的"二联疫苗",也可成为控制AJ的标记疫苗。     

传染性喉气管炎病毒gB基因和新城疫病毒F基因在重组禽痘病毒中共表达

在重组禽痘病毒中表达多个禽类病原的主要免疫原基因是构建多价基因工程疫苗的前提,但相关研究很少。在表达传染性喉气管炎病毒(ILTV)gB基因重组禽痘病毒的转移载体的基础上,构建了含有ILTV gB基因和新城疫病毒(NDV)F基因的重组禽痘病毒转移载体pSY-gB-F,采用脂质体转染禽痘病毒感染的鸡胚成纤维(CEF)细胞后,通过蓝斑试验筛选出重组禽痘病毒(rFPv-gB-F),并进行了6轮蚀斑纯化。Western-blot试验和间接免疫荧光试验证明ILTV gB基因和NBVF基因在rFPV-gB-F感染的CEF细胞中获得表达。为传染性喉气管炎、新城疫与鸡痘活载体多价疫苗的研制奠定基础。     

携带新城疫病毒DNA疫苗的鼠伤寒沙门氏菌及其安全性与免疫效力

根据GenBank中发表的新城疫病毒(NDV)融合蛋白(F)基因序列,设计一对引物,通过RTPCR扩增出鹅源新城疫病毒分离株JS5F基因,测序确认后,将其克隆入真核表达载体pVAX1,获得重组真核表达质粒pVAX1F。将pVAX1F转化减毒鼠伤寒沙门氏菌SL7207,构建成携带DNA疫苗的重组沙门氏菌SL7207(pVAX1F)。重组菌以不同剂量口服免疫1日龄雏鸡,结果表明,细菌对雏鸡具有良好的安全性,且不影响鸡的增重。将SL7207(pVAX1F)分别以108CFU和109CFU的剂量3次口服免疫1日龄商品代伊莎褐蛋鸡,抗体检测结果显示,在三免后1周,SL7207(pVAX1F)109CFU剂量组的血清抗体效价与空载体组之间存在显著性差异(p<0.05)。重组菌两个剂量组在首免后2周开始出现粘膜抗体,并于二免后2周和3周达到较高水平。免疫保护试验结果显示,SL7207(pVAX1F)109CFU剂量组的保护率为77.27%,与空载体组之间存在显著性差异(p<0.05)。     

A recombinant Newcastle disease virus (NDV) expressing VP2 protein of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) protects against NDV and IBDV

Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) causes a highly immunosuppressive disease in chickens. Currently available, live IBDV vaccines can lead to generation of variant viruses. We have developed an alternative vaccine that will not create variant IBDV. By using the reverse genetics approach, we devised a recombinant Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vector from a commonly used vaccine strain LaSota to express the host-protective immunogen VP2 of a variant IBDV strain GLS-5. The gene encoding the VP2 protein of the IBDV was inserted into the most 3'-proximal locus of a full-length NDV cDNA for high-level expression. We successfully recovered the recombinant virus, rLaSota/VP2. The rLaSota/VP2 was genetically stable, at least up to 12 serial passages in chicken embryos, and was shown to express the VP2 protein. The VP2 protein was not incorporated into the virions of recombinant virus. Recombinant rLaSota/VP2 replicated to a titer similar to that of parental NDV strain LaSota in chicken embryos and cell cultures. To assess protective efficacy of the rLaSota/VP2, 2-day-old specific-pathogen-free chickens were vaccinated with the recombinant virus and challenged with a highly virulent NDV strain Texas GB or IBDV variant strain GLS-5 at 3 weeks postvaccination. Vaccination with rLaSota/VP2 generated antibody responses against both NDV and IBDV and provided 90% protection against NDV and IBDV. Booster immunization induced higher levels of antibody responses against both NDV and IBDV and conferred complete protection against both viruses. These results indicate that the recombinant NDV can be used as a vaccine vector for other avian pathogens.     

Preparation and Efficacy of Newcastle Disease Virus DNA Vaccine Encapsulated in PLGA Nanoparticles

Background

Although the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) inactivated vaccines and attenuated live vaccines have been used to prevent and control Newcastle disease (ND) for years, there are some disadvantages. Recently, newly developed DNA vaccines have the potential to overcome these disadvantages. The low delivery efficiency, however, hindered the application of DNA vaccines for ND in practice.

Methodology/Principal Findings

The eukaryotic expression plasmid pVAX1-F (o) DNA that expressed the F gene of NDV encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles (pFNDV-PLGA-NPs) were prepared by a double emulsion-solvent evaporation method and optimal preparation conditions of the pFNDV-PLGA-NPs were determined. Under the optimal conditions, the pFNDV-PLGA-NPs were produced in good morphology and had high stability with a mean diameter of 433.5±7.5 nm, with encapsulation efficiency of 91.8±0.3% and a Zeta potential of +2.7 mV. Release assay in vitro showed that the fusion gene plasmid DNA could be sustainably released from the pFNDV-PLGA-NPs up to 93.14% of the total amount. Cell transfection test indicated that the vaccine expressed and maintained its bioactivity. Immunization results showed that better immune responses of SPF chickens immunized with the pFNDV-PLGA-NPs were induced compared to the chickens immunized with the DNA vaccine alone. In addition, the safety of mucosal immunity delivery system of the pFNDV-PLGA-NPs was also tested in an in vitro cytotoxicity assay.

Conclusions/Significance

The pFNDV-PLGA-NPs could induce stronger cellular, humoral, and mucosal immune responses and reached the sustained release effect. These results laid a foundation for further development of vaccines and drugs in PLGA nanoparticles.     

Immunization of Chickens with Newcastle Disease Virus Expressing H5 Hemagglutinin Protects against Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza Viruses

Background

Highly-pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) are the two most important poultry viruses in the world. Natural low-virulence NDV strains have been used as vaccines over the past 70 years with proven track records. We have previously developed a reverse genetics system to produce low-virulent NDV vaccine strain LaSota from cloned cDNA. This system allows us to use NDV as a vaccine vector for other avian pathogens.

Methodology/Principal Finding

Here, we constructed two recombinant NDVs (rNDVs) each of which expresses the hemagglutinin (HA) gene of HPAIV H5N1strain A/Vietnam/1203/2004 from an added gene. In one, rNDV (rNDV-HA), the open reading frame (ORF) of HA gene was expressed without modification. In the second, rNDV (rNDV-HAF), the ORF was modified so that the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of the encoded HA gene were replaced with those of the NDV F protein. The insertion of either version of the HA ORF did not increase the virulence of the rNDV vector. The HA protein was found to be incorporated into the envelopes of both rNDV-HA and rNDV-HAF. However, there was an enhanced incorporation of the HA protein in rNDV-HAF. Chickens immunized with a single dose of either rNDV-HA or rNDV-HAF induced a high titer of HPAIV H5-specific antibodies and were completely protected against challenge with NDV as well as lethal challenges of both homologous and heterologous HPAIV H5N1.

Conclusion and Significance

Our results suggest that these chimeric viruses have potential as safe and effective bivalent vaccines against NDV and. HPAIV. These vaccines will be convenient and affordable, which will be highly beneficial to the poultry industry. Furthermore, immunization with these vaccines will permit serological differentiation of vaccinated and avian influenza field virus infected animals.     

鸡新城疫口服DNA疫苗的安全性、稳定性与免疫效力

将含新城疫病毒（NDV）F₄₈E₉株融合蛋白（F）基因的真核表达质粒pcDNA3-F的减毒鼠伤寒沙门氏菌ZJ111株（ZJ111/pcDAN3-F）口服接种小鼠和雏鸡。结果表明：利用该减毒株作为载体传递DNA疫苗具有相对安全性。用酶切和PCR鉴定法证实在体内外无抗生素存在的条件下重组质粒在受体菌ZJ111菌株内比较稳定。ZJ111/pcDAN3-F以每羽10⁸cfu免疫雏鸡,2周后二免,二免后4周攻击致死剂量的强毒株F₄₈E₉,观察其免疫效力。结果表明：重组ZJ111/pcDNA3-F菌株不仅能诱导雏鸡产生抗NDV抗体,而且能诱导法氏囊B淋巴细胞和胸腺T淋巴细胞的增殖反应,对强毒株攻击的保护率为66.7%,高于pcDNA3-F裸质粒DNA疫苗注射免疫组（50%）。上述结果初步提示减毒沙门氏菌为载体传递DNA疫苗具有良好的安全性、稳定性和免疫原性,为研制低成本、实用化的口服禽类DNA疫苗奠定了基础。     

Complete Genome Sequence of Newcastle Disease Virus Mesogenic Vaccine Strain R2B from India

Mesogenic vaccine strains of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) are widely used in many countries of Asia and Africa to control the Newcastle disease of poultry. In India, the mesogenic strain R2B was introduced in 1945; it protects adult chickens that have been preimmunized with a lentogenic vaccine virus and provides long-lasting immunity. In this article, we report the complete genome sequence of the hitherto unsequenced Indian vaccine virus strain R2B. The viral genome is 15,186 nucleotides in length and contains the polybasic amino acid motif in the fusion protein cleavage site, indicating that this vaccine strain has evolved from a virulent virus. Phylogenetic analysis of this mesogenic vaccine virus classified it with the viruses belonging to genotype III of the class cluster II of NDV.     

新城疫壳聚糖微球疫苗免疫效果的研究

鸡新城疫是由新城疫病毒引起的鸡的一种急性、烈性、高度接触性传染病,是危害养禽业的最严重疫病之一。控制新城疫最根本的措施是进行有效的疫苗接种,目前常用的疫苗是弱毒活疫苗和灭活疫苗,但二者在实际应用中均存在一定的局限性。口服微球疫苗可以诱导较强的粘膜免疫;同时还能够诱导产生系统的体液免疫和细胞免疫,已成为ND疫苗研究的热点。以壳聚糖为囊材,新城疫La Sota抗原液为芯材,戊二醛为交联剂,制备出新城疫壳聚糖微球疫苗,通过了实验室安全检验和效力检验。将新城疫壳聚糖微球疫苗与LaSota活疫苗和新城疫油乳剂灭活苗分别免疫SPF鸡,利用MTT、血凝抑制法(HI)和ELISA等分别检测不同疫苗免疫后的细胞免疫、体液免疫和粘膜免疫抗体IgA,并在当免疫鸡HI抗体降到23的情况下进行了攻毒试验。结果表明,新城疫壳聚糖微球疫苗安全性好,免疫后可刺激机体产生较强的细胞免疫、体液免疫和局粘膜免疫,具有较好的保护作用。     

Newcastle disease virus-vectored rabies vaccine is safe, highly immunogenic, and provides long-lasting protection in dogs and cats

Effective, safe, and affordable rabies vaccines are still being sought. Newcastle disease virus (NDV), an avian paramyxovirus, has shown promise as a vaccine vector for mammals. Here, we generated a recombinant avirulent NDV La Sota strain expressing the rabies virus glycoprotein (RVG) and evaluated its potential to serve as a vaccine against rabies. The recombinant virus, rL-RVG, retained its high-growth property in chicken eggs, with titers of up to 10^9.8 50% egg infective doses (EID₅₀)/ml of allantoic fluid. RVG expression enabled rL-RVG to spread from cell to cell in a rabies virus-like manner, and RVG was incorporated on the surface of the rL-RVG viral particle. RVG incorporation did not alter the trypsin-dependent infectivity of the NDV vector in mammalian cells. rL-RVG and La Sota NDV showed similar levels of sensitivity to a neutralization antibody against NDV and similar levels of resistance to a neutralization antibody against rabies virus. Animal studies demonstrated that rL-RVG is safe in several species, including cats and dogs, when administered as multiple high doses of recombinant vaccine. Intramuscular vaccination with rL-RVG induced a substantial rabies virus neutralization antibody response and provided complete protection from challenge with circulating rabies virus strains. Most importantly, rL-RVG induced strong and long-lasting protective neutralization antibody responses to rabies virus in dogs and cats. A low vaccine dose of 10^8.3 EID₅₀ completely protected dogs from challenge with a circulating strain of rabies virus for more than a year. This is the first study to demonstrate that immunization with an NDV-vectored vaccine can induce long-lasting, systemic protective immunity against rabies.