Delayed wattle reactions in Eimeria tenella infected chickens

Wattle reactions to an Eimeria tenella antigen and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were studied in chickens infected with E. tenella. Two trials were conducted using a total of 224 chickens. Four days after infection with one dose of 10,000 sporulated oocysts, the increase in wattle thickness in response to E. tenella antigen was significantly greater than that of uninfected controls. This significant response persisted through day 10 post infection. Wattle response to PHA 3 days after infection were significantly greater than for uninfected controls. Significant differences in response to PHA were maintained throughout the experiment except on day 6. An increased response to PHA from days 7 to 13 post infection was attributed to the lower parasite burden at that time.