Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
06:57
Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Assays for the Species-specific Detection of Eimeria that Infect Chickens
Published on: February 20, 2015
Immune responses to an Eimeria acervulina infection in different broilers lines
W J C Swinkels1, J Post, J B Cornelissen
1Animal Sciences Group, P.O. Box 65, 8200 AB Lelystad, The Netherlands. Willem.Swinkels@wur.nl <Willem.Swinkels@wur.nl>
Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology
|March 6, 2007
Summary
Fast-growing broilers mount an early CD8(+) T-cell response to Eimeria acervulina infection, leading to lower parasite loads compared to slow-growing broilers. This highlights differing immune kinetics between broiler lines.
Area of Science:
- Poultry immunology
- Parasitology
- Comparative immunology
Background:
- Eimeria acervulina is a significant poultry pathogen.
- Broiler lines exhibit varying growth rates and disease resistance.
- Understanding immune responses is crucial for poultry health management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare T-cell immune responses in fast-growing versus slow-growing broilers after Eimeria acervulina infection.
- To investigate the correlation between immune response kinetics and parasite load.
Main Methods:
- Infection of 7-day-old broilers (fast-growing vs. slow-growing) with Eimeria acervulina.
- Monitoring of body weight, parasite load (real-time PCR), and T-cell populations (CD4+, CD8+).
- Analysis of cytokine mRNA expression (IL-18, IFN-gamma, IL-8, IL-4).
Main Results:
- Fast-growing broilers showed lower parasite loads from day 4 post-infection.
- An early increase in CD8(+) T-cells was observed in fast-growing broilers.
- Both lines exhibited IL-18, IFN-gamma, and IL-8 mRNA responses, with no IL-4 response.
Conclusions:
- Fast-growing broilers develop an earlier CD8alpha(+) T-cell response to Eimeria acervulina.
- This differential immune response may explain the reduced parasite burden in fast-growing lines.
- Immune response kinetics vary between broiler genotypes, impacting disease outcomes.
