Influence of probiotics on immunization against infectious bursal disease in chickens

Abstract EN

A study was conducted on the impact of probiotics on immunization against infectious bursal disease (IBD).

Ninety clinically healthy avian broiler chicks (one day old) were divided into three equal groups A, B and C.

An attenuated live IBD virus vaccine was administered on the 14th day and 32nd day of age in drinking water to all the experimental chicks.

On the 24th and 42nd day of age, the birds of groups (B and C), respectively were challenged with “IBDV” Field strain.

The challenged birds were kept in separate rooms.

Only birds of groups (B and C) were given probiotic from the beginning of the experiment (FBE) till the end of the experiment.

Blood and serum samples were collected during sacrifice on the 29th and 49th days FBE for hematological, biochemical and immunological studies.

Specimens were collected from the liver, kidneys, spleen and intestine.

The specimens were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin.

Five micron thick paraffin sections were prepared and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, then examined microscopically.

Groups (B and C) showed leukocytosis, elevated antibodies lymphocytic transformation index and phagocytosis percentage beside elevated transaminases.

The uric acid and creatinine were significantly elevated.

The bursa of Fabricius was slightly congested and swollen.

Follicular infiltration with heterophils and central follicular necrosis were seen in group (C).

The liver was slightly enlarged and dark.

Microscopically, the liver showed vacuolated and necrotic hepatocytes.

The kidneys were congested.

The results were statistically analyzed and proved a good hematobiochemical and immunomodulating effect of probiotics beside a slight histopathological changes after challenge.