Local antibody response in avian infectious bronchitis: virus-neutralizing antibody in tracheobronchial secretions

Specific-pathogen-free chickens were tested for local antibody response after respiratory exposure to live avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). Tracheobronchial secretions were obtained after intraocular-intratracheal vaccinations with Holland and Massachusetts 41 strains IBV. Low levels of immunoglobulin (Ig)A and IgG virus-neutralizing antibodies were detected in secretions after each of two vaccinations with a moderate dose (10(4) EID50), neutralizing activity in secretions was found mainly in IgG antibody. Only challenge exposure to Holland IBV resulted in a marked secondary secretion antibody response.