Duck reovirus TH11 virion antigen (DRV TH11 antigen)

Duck reovirus (DRV) strain TH11 is a highly pathogenic avian orthoreovirus that causes significant economic losses in the poultry industry, particularly through spotted liver disease in Muscovy ducks (Zhang et al., 2019). The virion antigens, which include structural proteins like sigma C (σC), sigma B (σB), and mu B (μB), are the primary targets for neutralizing antibodies (Yun et al., 2014). The σC protein is especially important as it functions as the viral attachment protein, facilitating entry into host cells; therefore, it is a major focus for vaccine development (Wang et al., 2020). These antigens are considered indirect immune targets because therapeutic interventions, such as inactivated or subunit vaccines, are designed to elicit a host antibody response that subsequently neutralizes the virus (Chen et al., 2018). Additionally, hyperimmune yolk antibodies (IgY) are used as a passive immunotherapy to provide immediate protection by binding to these virion antigens and preventing infection in young ducklings (Wu et al., 2021). Understanding the antigenic structure of the TH11 strain is crucial for overcoming challenges related to antigenic variation and ensuring the efficacy of immunization programs. The interaction between host antibodies and these antigens is the cornerstone of both natural immunity and clinical management of the disease.

Other names

Muscovy duck reovirus TH11 antigenMDRV TH11 antigenDuck orthoreovirus TH11 structural protein

Neutralization of viral infectivity by blocking attachment to host receptors and promoting viral clearance via antibody-mediated mechanisms.