Effects of Various Field Coccidiosis Control Programs on Host Innate and Adaptive Immunity in Commercial Broiler Chickens

Abstract

Coccidiosis control programs such as vaccines or in-feed anticoccidials are commonly practiced in the poultry industry to improve growth performance and health of commercial broiler chickens. In this study, we assessed the effects of various coccidiosis control programs (e.g., in ovo vaccination, synthetic chemicals, and antibiotic ionophores) on immune status of broiler chickens vaccinated against infectious bronchitis virus and Newcastle disease virus (ND) and raised on an Eimeriacontaminated used litter. In general, the levels of α-1-acid glycoprotein, an acute phase protein, were altered by the treatments when measured at 34 days of age. Splenocyte subpopulations and serum antibody titers against ND were altered by various coccidiosis control programs. In-ovo-vaccinated chickens exhibited highest mitogenic response when their spleen cells were stimulated with concanavalin A (Con A) at 7 days of age. It is clear from this study that the type of coccidiosis control program influenced various aspects of innate and adaptive immune parameters of broiler chickens. Further studies will be necessary to delineate the underlying relationship between the type of coccidiosis control program and host immune system and to understand the role of other external environmental factors such as gut microbiota on host-pathogen interaction in various disease control programs.

Growth Performance, Relative Meat and Organ Weights, Cecal Microflora, and Blood Characteristics in Broiler Chickens Fed Diets Containing Different Nutrient Density with or without Essential Oils

“…Viral antibodies against IB and ND in sera sampled at 35 days were determined ( Lee et al, 2012 ) using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits (IDEXX Laboratory, Westbrook, ME, USA) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The results were expressed as antibody titer that was calculated using the formula provided by IDEXX.…”

Evaluation of a Novel Precision Biotic on Enterohepatic Health Markers and Growth Performance of Broiler Chickens under Enteric Challenge

“…In chickens, increments in the concentration of AGP have been associated with increased blood mononuclear cell proliferation [ 28 ]. Increased AGP concentration in the blood of chickens have been reported with direct injections of Escherichia coli LPS [ 28 ] as well as coccidiosis related challenges [ 29 ]. The disruption of the intestinal mucosa by coccidiosis is likely to have facilitated a systemic AGP response in the current study, which was partially ameliorated by the PB supplementation.…”

Dynamic Patterns of Systemic Innate Immunity and Inflammatory Associated Factors in Experimental Caprine Coccidiosis

“…AGP is an acute-phase protein and a marker for systemic inflammation [ 19 ]. AGP is used as a success marker of various field coccidiosis control programs in commercial broiler chicken; so the levels of AGP have been significantly lower in treatment groups (either in ovo vaccination or use of antimicrobials) compared with controls [ 20 ]. The changing pattern of AGP in caprine coccidiosis had not been studied yet.…”