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A Study of Cross-Protection between Eimeria maxima Immunovariants.

Authors :
Jenkins MC
O'Brien CN
Parker CC
Tucker MS
Source :
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) [Pathogens] 2024 Jan 09; Vol. 13 (1). Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jan 09.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

For reasons unknown, Eimeria maxima is unique among Eimeria species infecting chickens in the immunovariability it displays among isolates from different geographical areas. Eimeria maxima oocysts (named EmaxAPU3) were isolated late in grow-out (6 weeks) from litter in a commercial broiler operation that was using Eimeria vaccination as the coccidiosis control program. Cross-protection studies (n = 4) were conducted in immunologically naïve chickens between EmaxAPU3 and two E. maxima lab strains (EmaxAPU1, EmaxAPU2) by immunizing with one E. maxima strain and challenging with either the homologous or heterologous E. maxima . As measured by oocyst output, immunization with EmaxAPU1 protected against homologous challenge (EmaxAPU1) and against heterologous challenge with EmaxAPU3, but not against EmaxAPU2. Similarly, immunization with EmaxAPU3 protected against homologous challenge (EmaxAPU3) and against heterologous challenge with EmaxAPU1, but not against EmaxAPU2. Immunization of chickens with EmaxAPU2 elicited a protective response against homologous challenge (EmaxAPU2), but not against EmaxAPU1 nor EmaxAPU3. The most plausible explanation for the appearance of this immunovariant late in grow-out is that E. maxima APU3 escaped immunity directed to E. maxima antigenic types in the commercial vaccine.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2076-0817
Volume :
13
Issue :
1
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
38251373
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13010066