[Immunoprophylaxis against an acute P. multocida type D infection in Cairina moschata]

An acute P. multocida infection led to severe losses in a big Cairina moschata fattening farm. All isolated strains belong to serogroup D. After testing the virulence and immunogenic properties of the isolated strains in NMRI mice, we used an highly virulent and immunogenic strain for developing an inactivated vaccine (formaline inactivated, Al (OH)3 adsorbed, with a content of 3 x 10(9) bacteria/ml). Two sc. immunizations of Cairina at an age of 10 and 24 days resulted in immunity. All immunized animals survived the challenge infection. The immunity was stable till the 8th week after the 2nd immunization, later the intensity of the immunity decreased. A threefold immunization procedure in the Cairina farm was very successful.