Immune response and protective efficacy of Eimeria tenella recombinant refractile body protein, EtSO7, in chickens

• Published in: Veterinary parasitology 2018-07, Vol.258, p.108-113
• Main Authors: Rafiqi, Shafiya Imtiaz, Garg, Rajat, K.K., Reena, Ram, Hira, Singh, Mithilesh, Banerjee, P.S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Eimeria tenella; Immune response; Protective efficacy; Recombinant SO7
• ISSN: 0304-4017; 1873-2550
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.06.013

[Display omitted] •Chickens immunized with rEtSO7 elicited robust cellular and humoral immune response.•Immunized birds displayed higher serum IgY levels and lymphocyte stimulation index.•Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2) were significantly high in rEtSO7 immunized birds.•Significant protection was recorded in immunized birds following E. tenella challenge. Refractile body protein, SO7, is a highly immunogenic protein which is essentially involved in the early development of Eimeria species infecting the domestic chicken. In the present study, the immune response and protective efficacy of recombinant Eimeria tenella SO7 (rEtSO7) protein was assessed in broiler chickens following homologous oocyst challenge. Broiler chicks were subcutaneously immunized with rEtSO7 antigen adjuvanted with Montanide ISA 71 VG on 7 and 21 days of age and protective efficacy of vaccination was evaluated in terms of body weight gain, lesion score and reduction in oocyst output. The peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation, serum IgY response, and levels of interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 4 (IL-4), tumor growth factor beta (TGF-β) and nitric oxide (NO) were assessed. The results revealed significant reduction (p