Immunogenicity of an Inactivated Pigeon-Derived Paramyxovirus Type 1 Vaccine Against Newcastle Disease in Domestic Pigeons

Newcastle disease virus (NDV), known as avian paramyxovirus 1 and recently avian orthoavulavirus 1, causes Newcastle disease, a significant threat to poultry and pigeon flocks worldwide. Vaccination remains a key strategy for disease control, but data on vaccine immunogenicity in columbids are limited. This study compared the immunogenicity of an inactivated vaccine containing pigeon paramyxovirus (PPMV) strain AP 1282 (HIPRAVIAR® AP), specifically formulated for active immunization in pigeons, with a commercially available Newcastle disease vaccine (La Sota) in domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica). Birds were divided into three groups: one vaccinated with the pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 (PPMV-1) vaccine, another with a commercial Newcastle disease (ND) vaccine, and an unvaccinated control group. Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers were evaluated at baseline and four weeks post-vaccination. Statistical analysis was performed to compare immune responses. The results indicated that both vaccinated groups had significantly elevated HI titers compared to the unvaccinated control group (p < 0.0001), with mean HI titers of 4.1 ± 0.88 log 2 for pigeon paramyxovirus vaccine and 4.8 ± 1.03 log 2 for the commercial ND vaccine. The findings demonstrate that the pigeon-derived PPMV type 1 vaccine (HIPRAVIAR® AP) induces a robust humoral immune response in domestic pigeons. These results support its immunogenicity under the experimental conditions of this study; however, challenge studies are required to confirm its protective efficacy against Newcastle disease virus infection. Both vaccines induced robust HI antibody responses, and no statistically significant difference in mean HI titers was observed between the vaccinated groups. Further longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes are required to compare long-term immunogenicity and protective efficacy.