Effect of Immunomodulation in Turkeys Infected with Haemorrhagic Enteritis Virus on the Percentage of CD4+ and CD8α+ T Lymphocyte Subpopulations Synthesising IFN-γ.

Introduction: Haemorrhagic enteritis virus (HEV) is a common turkey pathogen which suppresses the immune function. The immunosuppressive potential of both field and vaccine strains of HEV makes it necessary to seek substances which can limit or prevent this phenomenon. The aim of the presented work was to investigate the effect of two immunomodulators in the immune response of HEV-infected turkeys. The immunomodulators were synthetic methisoprinol and a natural preparation containing 34.2% β-glucans (β-1,3/1,6) and 12% mannan oligosaccharides (MOS).

Material and methods: The synthetic immunomodulator was administered to female Big 6 turkey chicks at a dose of 200 mg/kg b.w. in drinking water i) for 3 days before, ii) for 5 days after, or iii) for 3 days before, on the day of infection, and for 5 days after experimental HEV infection in turkeys. The natural counterpart was also given to female Big 6 turkey chicks at a dose of 500 g/tonne of feed i) for 14 days before, ii) for 5 days after, or iii) for 14 days before, on the day of infection, and for 5 days after infection. Their effect was evaluated on the synthesis of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) by splenic CD4+ and CD8α+ T cells in response to mitogen stimulation in vitro. Samples were taken 3, 5 and 7 days after infection and analysed by intracellular cytokine staining assay.

Results: Methisoprinol was shown to increase the CD4⁺IFN-γ⁺ and CD8α⁺IFN-γ⁺ T cell count in these birds over the same cell count in control turkeys. A similar effect was obtained in turkeys that received the natural immunomodulator.

Conclusion: The evaluated immunomodulators may be used to attenuate the effects of immunosuppression in HEV-infected turkeys.