Research & Trials

Driven by science & industry priorities

Science first: that’s the guiding principle of our Veterinary Services group. One of our top priorities is demonstrating the strong scientific evidence to support the use of VAXXITEK® HVT + IBD and Boehringer Ingelheim’s other avian products. We believe every poultry health decision our customers make should be grounded in reliable data and a full understanding of its real-world implications, including such issues as:

  • Vaccine efficacy and clinical protection against diverse disease strains
  • Safety and immunology issues
  • Strategies for designing vaccination programs
  • Effects on performance and economic metrics
  • Issues related to specific businesses: broiler, layer, breeder
  • Diagnostic tools and techniques

A wide-ranging approach to research

Both in the laboratory and out in the field, our team of experienced veterinarians works independently and with outside collaborators to design and conduct various types of research:

  • Clinical studies with well-defined protocols
  • Virus challenge studies using specific local strains
  • Comparative field trials of different sizes and business types, especially on performance metrics
  • Systematic reviews, follow-ups of monitoring data, and other retrospective analyses

Collectively, we aim for diverse representation across regions and business types, in order to produce useful, relevant data for our diverse customer base.

Interested in discussing a possible field trial or clinical study at your operation? Talk to your Boehringer Ingelheim representative, or contact us.

Active in scientific and industry communities

The Veterinary Services group is also deeply involved in the wider scientific community, regularly publishing our own research and reviewing the work of others. Our experts travel the globe to connect with colleagues at industry events such as the World Veterinary Poultry Congress and regional gatherings.

We see our team members as ambassadors of science, bringing the knowledge and evidence from these communities to our customer sites all over the world—and driving Boehringer Ingelheim’s development of new generations of avian health solutions.

Compiling and interpreting the data and evidence to help poultry enterprises make more informed vaccination decisions...

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Referenced Publications

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1. Fernandez R, Rojo F, Garcia H, Sanchez P, Martinez H, Menendez A, Ruiz H et al. Field efficacy in broiler chickens in Latin America of vHVT-013, a Marek’s HVT vector vaccine expressing VP2 in infectious bursal disease virus. Oral presentation and abstract at the 15th congress of the World Veterinary Poultry Association, 2007; p199.

2. Atienza JC, Nagera AJ, Martinez PO, Baysac ND, Castillo MT, Damaso VR, Lemière S. Evaluation of a herpesvirus of turkey vector vaccine inducing protection against infectious bursal and Marek’s diseases (VAXXITEK® HVT+IBD) under Philippines field conditions. Oral presentation. XXIII World Poultry Congress, Brisbane, Australia. 2008. Article wpc0801684, 9 p.

3. Garritty AT. The eff ect of vectored HVT+IBD (Vaxxitek® HVT + IBD) vaccination on body weights, uniformity and virus shedding in commercial broilers. Abstract. International Poultry Scientifi c Forum, Atlanta, 2011; p31.

4. Godinho E, Pereira CJ, Fernandez A, Lemiere S. Case study of broiler chicken carcass condemnation in Brazil – Improved control using a herpesvirus turkey-infectious bursal disease (HVT-IBD) vector vaccine. Oral presentation. XVIIth Congress of the World Veterinary Poultry Association, Cancun, Mexico, 2011.

5. Hoerr FJ. Clinical Aspects of Immunosuppression in Poultry. Avian Dis., 2010; 54:2-15.

6. Naqi S, Thompson G, Bauman B, Mohammed H. The Exacerbating Effect of Infectious Bronchitis Virus Infection on the Infectious Bursal Disease Virus-Induced Suppression of Opsonization by Escherichia coli Antibody in Chickens. Avian Dis., 2001; 45:52-60.

7. Alonso Castro M, Merino Cabria D, Fernandez Garcia D, Torrubia Diaz J, Herreras Viejo R, Fernandez Revuelta J, Mateo Oyague J, Carvajal Uruena A. Evaluation of the effects of vaccination with a HVT-IBD vector vaccine on bursa Fabricii, production parameters and meat properties in broilers. Abstract. XVIIIth Congress of the World Veterinary Poultry Association, Nantes, France, 2013; in-press.

8. Devaud I, Herin JB, Trotel A, Pagot E, Voisin F. A field study in commercial layers to evaluate the effects of an HVT-IBD vector vaccine on production performances in comparison with a live IBD vaccine. Abstract. XVIIIth Congress of the World Veterinary Poultry Association, Nantes, France, 2013; in-press.

9. Lemiere S, Gauthier J.C., Kodjo A., Vinit L., Delvecchio A., Prandini F. Evaluation of the Protection against Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) Challenge in Progeny Born to Parents Having Received a Vaccination Program Using Herpesvirus of Turkey-Infectious Bursal Disease (HVT-IBD) Vector Vaccine. World J. Vaccines, 2013; 3:46-51.

10. Goutebroze S, Curet M, Jay ML, Roux C, Le Gros F-X. Efficacy of a recombinant vaccine HVT-VP2 against Gumboro disease in the presence of maternal antibodies. British Poultry Science, 2003;44:824-825.

11. Massi P, Tosi G, Fiorentini L. Experimental challenge trial with a «very virulent» strain of Infectious Bursal Disease virus (vvIBDV) in commercial pullets vaccinated with an IBD vectored vaccine or with three different modified live vaccines. Zootecnica International, November 2008;50-57.

12. Bublot M, Pritchard N, Le Gros F-X, Goutebroze S. Use of a vectored vaccine against infectious bursal disease of chickens in the face of high-titred maternally derived antibody. Journal of Comparative Pathology, 2007;137:81-84.

13. Ganapathy K, Wilkins M, Forrester A, Jones RC, Lemiere S. Protection and immune responses against virulent infectious bronchitis viruses in HVT-IBD recombinant or IBD-complex vaccinated broiler chicks. Abstract. 1st International Respiratory Disease Conference, Athens, United States of America, 2011; p15.

14. Lemiere S, Wilkins M, Forrester A, Jones R, Ganapathy K. Protection and immune responses against virulent infectious bronchitis (IB) viruses in herpesvirus turkey-infectious bursal disease (HVT-IBD) vaccinated broiler chicks. Poster presentation. XVIIth Congress of the World Veterinary Poultry Association, Cancun, Mexico, 2011.

15. Rautenschlein S, Lemiere S, Prandini F. Evaluation of the effects of an HVT-IBD vector vaccine on the immune system of layer pullets in comparison with two commercial live IBD vaccines. Abstract. XVIIIth Congress of the World Veterinary Poultry Association, Nantes, France, 2013; in-press.

16. Rosenberger JK, Cloud SS. Identification and characterization of variant infectious bursal disease variant viruses. Journal of American Veterinary Medicine Association, 1986;189:357.

17. Cheville NF. Studies on the pathogenesis of Gumboro disease in the bursa of Fabricius, spleen and thymus of the chicken. American Journal of Pathology, 1967;51:527-551.

18. Le Gros F-X, Dancer A, Giacomini C, Pizzoni L, Bublot M, Graziani M, Prandini F. Field efficacy trial of a novel HVT-IBD vector vaccine for 1 day-old broilers. Vaccine, 2009;27:592-596.

19. Prandini F, Bublot M, Le Gros F-X, Dancer A, Pizzoni L, Lamichhane C. Assessment of the immune response in broilers and pullets using two ELISA lits after in ovo or day-old vaccination with a vectored HVT+IBD vaccine (VAXXITEK HVT+IBD). Zootecnica International, September 2008;40-50.

20. Lemiere S, Wong YS, Saint-Gerand AL, Goutebroze S, le Gros FX. Compatibility of Turkey Herpesvirus–Infectious Bursal Disease Vector Vaccine with Marek’s Disease Rispens Vaccine Injected into Day-Old Pullets. Avian Dis., 2011; 55:113-118.

21. Richard-Mazet A, Goutebroze S, Duboeuf M, Le Gros FX, Lemiere S, Bublot M. Compatibility of fowlpox-avian influenza and herpesvirus of turkey-infectious bursal disease vector vaccines injected in ovo to embryonated chicken eggs. Article. XVIIth Congress of the World Veterinary Poultry Association, Cancun, Mexico, 2011; p852-857.

22. Jay ML, Bizzini S, Duboeuf M, Goutebroze S, Le-Gros FX. Compatibility of a novel vector vaccine HVT-Gumboro with Newcastle and infectious bronchitis vaccination at one day of age. Abstract. 16th congress of the World Veterinary Poultry Association, Marrakesh, Morocco, 2009; p341.

23. Lemiere S, Fernandez R, Pritchard N, Cruz-Coy J, Rojo F, Wong SY, Saint-Gerand AL, Gauthier JC, Perozo F. Concomitant Turkey Herpesvirus–Infectious Bursal Disease Vector Vaccine and Oil-Adjuvanted Inactivated Newcastle Disease Vaccine Administration: Consequences Compatibility of Turkey Herpesvirus–Infectious Bursal Disease. Avian Dis., 2011; 55:642-649.

24. Botero LA, Fernandez R, Rojo F, Orrego JC, Lemiere S. Colombian chicken meat industry performance further to the use of VAXXITEK HVT+IBD vector vaccine. Oral presentation. 16th congress of the World Veterinary Poultry Association, Marrakesh, Morocco, 2009; p169.

25. Körösi L, Povazsan J, Penzes L, Sari I. Field results of VAXXITEK HVT+IBD vaccination in coloured birds in Hungary. Poster. 16th congress of the World Veterinary Poultry Association, Marrakesh, Morocco, 2009; p339.

26. Tang SF, He SJ, Li WM, Lemiere S. Field experience of vaccination in day-old broiler chickens with a herpesvirus turkey-infectious bursal disease (HVT-IBD) vector vaccine in different systems of chicken production across China. Poster presentation. XVIIth Congress of the World Veterinary Poultry Association, Cancun, Mexico, 2011; p920-926.

27. Herrmann A, Negm H, Sultan H. Turkey herpesvirus infectious bursal disease (HVT-IBD) vector vaccine – Field experience in commercial broilers in Egypt. Article. XVIIth Congress of the World Veterinary Poultry Association, Cancun, Mexico, 2011; p556-563.

28. Ochoa R. Monitoring of safety and efficacy of a herpesvirus turkey-infectious bursal disease (HVT-IBD) in a commercial layer operation in Mexico. Article. XVIIth Congress of the World Veterinary Poultry Association, Cancun, Mexico, 2011; p770-774.

29. Korosi L, Povazsan J, Sari I, Penzes L. Comparative field study of the Vaxxitek® HVT-IBD vaccine in commercial layer flocks. Article. XVIIth Congress of the World Veterinary Poultry Association, Cancun, Mexico, 2011; p644-650.

30. Lemiere S, Rojo R, He S, Tang S, Li W, Herrmann A, Prandini F. Benefits of the Herpesvirus of Turkey vector vaccine of Infectious Bursal Disease in control of immune-depression in broilers and decrease of use of antibiotic medication. Abstract. XVIIIth Congress of the World Veterinary Poultry Association, Nantes, France, 2013; in-press.

31. Rautenschlein S, Lemiere S, Simon B, Prandini F. A comparison of the effects on the humoral and cell-mediated immunity between an HVT-IBD vector vaccine and an IBDV immune complex vaccine after in ovo vaccination of commercial broilers. Article. XVIIth Congress of the World Vet.

32. Lemiere S, Bublot M, de Saint-Vis B, Le-Gros FX, Dancer A, Bollart A, Carlotti A. Validation of VAXXITEK HVT+IBD vaccine intake in chickens using vHVT13-specifi c qPCR by processing different tissue samples. Oral presentation. 16th congress of the World Veterinary Poultry Association, Marrakesh, Morocco, 2009; p165.

33. Rautenschlein S, Simon B, Jung A, Pöppel M, Prandini F, Lemiere S. Protective efficacy of VAXXITEK HVT + IBD in commercial layers and broilers against challenge with very virulent infectious bursal disease virus. 16th congress of the World Veterinary Poultry Association, Marrakesh, Morocco, 2009.