T Lymphocytes Response to Caecal Coccidiosis in Broilers Infected with Exo and Endogenous Stages of Eimeria Tenella

Abstract

The present study reveals the proliferation of cytokines in treated and non- treated broilers consisting of IFN- γ, IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, TNF and TGF. The CD4 count in the treated and non- treated broilers orally administered with various developmental stages of the parasite reached a peak on day 10 at primary; secondary and day 24 at tertiary infections. There was significant difference in the CD4 cell count between groups of the infected broiler chickens (p < 0.05). The current study observed a relationship between the different developmental stages of the parasite and lymphocytes response. Broiler chickens infected with sporulated oocyst (sporozoites) and merozoites treated and non-treated gave high CD4 T- lymphocyte numbers than the other groups throughout the experimental periods.