The immunological responses of sonicated Pasteurella multocida and E. tenella antigens in rabbits

Abstract

This study was aimed to estimate the immune responses of Pasteurella multocida and Eimeria tenella antigens in rabbits. Twenty albino rabbits were divided randomly into four groups; the first group was immunized with sonicated P. multocida antigen (500µg), the second group immunized with sonicated E. tenella (500µg), third group immunized with both antigens (500 µg) and the fourth group as control that injected with PBS (pH 7.2). The cellular immune response against P. multocida was evaluated by using the delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH)-Skin test at 21 days post immunization. The results were showed an elevation of the mean diameter of erythema at 24hr of immunized groups and the third group was showed the highest diameter (7.32±0.54 mm) compared with the first and the second groups (5.96± 0.70 mm and 6.52± 0.41 mm) respectively. Also, there was an increase in the diameter of induration at 72 hrs and the highest diameter was recorded at the third group (6.90±0.41 mm) compared with first and second groups (2.90±0.46mm and 4.35±0.35mm) respectively with a significant differences (P˂0.05). The humoral immune response was estimated by using ELISA and Tube agglutination test. The higher antibodies titer was recorded at 49th post immunization, the highest value was found in the third group (104.31± 6.32 ng) when compared with first and second group (68.86± 9.69 ng and 80.33 ±15.95 ng) respectively with a significant differences (P˂0.05). The peak of antibody titers of tube agglutination test was recorded at the 49th day and the highest antibody titers was found in third group (512±70) when compared with first (416±86) and in the second group (352±70); with a significant difference (P˂0.05). We concluded that there was an interaction between both antigens to enhance the humoral and cellular immune response