Prophylactic role of resiquimod (R-848) against vvIBDV was evaluated in chicken.
R-848 apparently reduced the mortality and bursal damage.
IBDV antigen clearance from the bursa was evident in R-848 pre-treated birds.
R-848 conferred complete protection against the vvIBDV induced immunosuppression.
R-848 significantly induced the transcripts of immune response genes post-challenge.