Effects of polyether ionophores on the protective immune responses of broiler chickens against Angara disease and Newcastle disease viruses

Vet Res Commun. 2007 Oct;31(7):909-29. doi: 10.1007/s11259-007-0030-7.

Abstract

Immunization against Angara disease virus (ADV), a serotype 4 avian adenovirus, and Newcastle disease virus (NDV), an avian paramyxovirus serotype 1, is the mainstay of a broiler vaccination programme, while polyether ionophores usually form an essential component of a broiler medication programme in most parts of India and Pakistan. The role of polyether ionophores in the protective immune responses of broiler chickens vaccinated and challenged with ADV and NDV was investigated. A total of 1600 birds were divided into eight groups of 200 birds each. First four groups were vaccinated against NDV and ADV, while the remaining four served as unvaccinated controls. The first 3 groups of birds were administered salinomycin, monensin and cyclophosphamide (CYP), respectively. The last group served as an untreated control. The same treatment schedule was also followed for the next four unvaccinated groups. The post-vaccination and post-challenge serological responses to NDV and ADV, body and lymphoid organ weight gains, post-challenge survival rate and detection of NDV and ADV in the tissues of infected birds were evaluated. Birds administered salinomycin showed a significant stimulation of protective immune responses against both NDV and ADV as compared to the untreated and CYP-treated birds. Monensin also enhanced the protective immune responses against both viruses but the effect was not statistically significant. Thus, it is concluded that monensin and salinomycin augment the anti-NDV and anti-ADV immune responses in broiler chickens, which supports their use in poultry flocks.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae Infections / immunology
  • Adenoviridae Infections / prevention & control
  • Adenoviridae Infections / veterinary*
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Aviadenovirus / drug effects
  • Aviadenovirus / immunology*
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Chickens*
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Cyclophosphamide / pharmacology
  • Immunologic Factors / administration & dosage
  • Immunologic Factors / pharmacology
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology
  • Ionophores / administration & dosage
  • Ionophores / pharmacology*
  • Lymphoid Tissue / drug effects
  • Newcastle Disease / immunology
  • Newcastle Disease / prevention & control*
  • Newcastle disease virus / drug effects
  • Newcastle disease virus / immunology
  • Poultry Diseases / immunology
  • Poultry Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Poultry Diseases / virology
  • Random Allocation
  • Survival Analysis
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Viral Vaccines / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Ionophores
  • Viral Vaccines
  • Cyclophosphamide