Mycobacterium phlei as an oral immunomodulator with Newcastle disease vaccine

E Sreekumar1, S K Das

  • 1Immunology Section, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, India. sreesaj@yahoo.com

Insights

Oral administration of heat-inactivated Mycobacterium phlei enhanced cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in chickens vaccinated with live Newcastle disease virus (NDV). This immunomodulation did not impact protection against virulent NDV challenge.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary immunology
  • Microbial immunomodulation

Background:

  • Oral immunomodulation is crucial for vaccine efficacy.
  • Mycobacterium phlei is a non-specific immunomodulator with potential applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of oral Mycobacterium phlei on immune responses to Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccination in chickens.
  • To assess the impact of M. phlei on cell-mediated immunity (CMI) and antibody production.

Main Methods:

  • Chickens were orally administered heat-inactivated M. phlei before vaccination with live NDV F strain.
  • Cell-mediated immune response (CMI) and Haemagglutination inhibiting (HI) antibody levels were measured.
  • Birds were challenged with a virulent NDV strain to assess protection.

Main Results:

  • M. phlei administration enhanced CMI against the live NDV vaccine.
  • A reduction in HI antibodies was observed.
  • Protection against virulent NDV challenge remained unaffected by M. phlei treatment.
  • M. phlei did not enhance immune response to an inactivated NDV vaccine.

Conclusions:

  • Mycobacterium phlei favors a CMI response to orally administered live NDV vaccines.
  • M. phlei shows potential for enhancing CMI against vaccines as a cost-effective alternative to recombinant cytokines.