Influence of High Eimeria tenella Immunization Dosages on Total Oocyst Output and Specific Antibodies Recognition Response in Hybrid Pullets (Gallus gallus)-A Pilot Study

Authors

• Marco A. Juarez-Estrada, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de MexicoFollow
• Guillermo Tellez-Isaias, University of ArkansasFollow
• Victor M. Petrone-Garcia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico
• Amanda Gayosso-Vazquez, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico
• Xochitl Hernandez-Velasco, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico
• Rogelio A. Alonso-Morales, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-26-2025

Keywords

avian immunology, B-cell epitopes, coccidiosis vaccine, crowding effectgut-associated lymphoid tissue, passive immunization, Immunoglobulin Y, Western blot

Abstract

Background: Two high primary-immunization doses of a wild-type E. tenella strain were assessed in healthy pullets (5K versus 10K sporulated oocysts/bird) to understand the effects of coccidia infection. Methods: Acquired immunity was evaluated following primary immunization and two booster doses with the homologous strain. Total oocyst shedding, clinical signs, and viability of every bird/group after each immunization/booster were recorded. Indirect ELISA measured the time course of humoral responses from each immunization group against sporozoite and second-generation merozoite of E. tenella. Antigen pattern recognition on these two asexual zoite stages of E. tenella was analyzed using Western blotting with antibodies from each immunization program. Afterwards, antigen recognition of specific life-cycle stages was performed using individual pullet serums from the best immunization program. Results: A primary-immunization dose of 1 x 104 oocysts/bird reduced the oocyst output; however, all pullets exhibited severe clinical signs and low specific antibodies titers, with decreased polypeptide recognition on both E. tenella asexual zoite stages. In contrast, immunization with 5 x 103 oocysts/bird yielded the best outcomes regarding increased oocyst collection and early development of sterilizing immunity. After the first booster dosage, this group's antisera revealed a strong pattern of specific antigen recognition on the two assayed E. tenella life-cycle stages. Conclusions: The E. tenella-specific antibodies from the 5 x 103 oocysts/bird immunization program can aid in passive immunization trials and further research to identify B-cell immunoprotective antigens, which could help in the development of a genetically modified anticoccidial vaccine.

Comments

Web of Science

MDPI

Citation

Juarez-Estrada, M.A.; Tellez-Isaias, G.; Petrone-Garcia, V.M.; Gayosso-Vazquez, A.; Hernandez-Velasco, X.; Alonso-Morales, R.A. Influence of High Eimeria tenella Immunization Dosages on Total Oocyst Output and Specific Antibodies Recognition Response in Hybrid Pullets (Gallus gallus)—A Pilot Study. Antibodies 2025, 14, 9. https://doi.org/10.3390/antib14010009

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