Abstract. The progression of tracheal lesions induced by vaccination of day-old specific pathogen-free chicks with the La Sota strain of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) was examined by relating surface changes as observed by scanning electron microscopy with subcellular changes seen by transmission electron microscopy. NDV infection resulted in hypertrophy of goblet cells, their rupture, and the formation of excess mucus. Activation of goblet cells peaked within 4 days postvaccination. Afterward, the activation levels gradually decreased. At the level of the ciliated cells, a marked increase in the proportion of nonciliated to ciliated cells and later an almost complete deciliation of the tracheal surface were observed because a simple squamous to cuboidal epithelium replaced the original pseudostratified epithelium. Fifteen days postvaccination, all epithelial damage was restored. Because the observed vaccination-induced lesions are detrimental to epithelial integrity and function as a barrier against invading microorganisms, they might explain at the ultrastructural level the secondary complications of vaccination with the La Sota strain against NDV.Key words: Chickens; electron microscopy; Newcastle disease virus; trachea; ultrastructure.Newcastle disease (ND) is a highly contagious viral disease of poultry and other bird species caused by specified viruses of the avian paramyxovirus type I (APMV-I) serotype of the genus Avulavirus belonging to the family Paramyxoviridae. 14 The virus has a wide host range, and Ͼ250 species of birds have been reported as susceptible to infection. 2 NDV isolates are classified into forms or pathotypes of disease on the basis of clinical signs in chickens. 4 The strains of low virulence can only replicate in areas with trypsinlike enzymes, such as in the respiratory and intestinal tract, whereas the virulent viruses can replicate in a range of tissues and organs. Infection with NDV strains of high virulence hence frequently results in a fatal systemic infection, whereas strains of low virulence cause transient damage to the respiratory and intestinal epithelia. The latter affects the role of the epithelium as a barrier against invading microorganisms and is one of the causes of vaccination-associated secondary complications. 1,5,17 The control of ND is based on complementary hygienic and prophylactic measures. 15 Immunity against ND is usually associated with the presence of neutralizing and hemagglutination-inhibiting (HI) antibodies. The HI test is a practical and reliable serologic indicator of immunity. 3 Vaccination against ND can be performed with either live or inactivated vaccines. Live vaccines induce higher protection and have been used by the poultry industry for Ͼ50 years. They are based on the use of lentogenic strains, among which Hitchner B1 and La Sota are the most popular. 2 The efficiency of a live vaccine depends on its potency to multiply enough within the chicken to induce a satisfactory immune response. 15 In general, because they are more invasive, La Sota ...