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Immunological Control of the Poultry Red Mite
Author(s) -
Arkle Sam,
Harrington David,
Kaiser Pete,
Rothwell Lisa,
De Luna Carlos,
George David,
Guy Jonathan,
Sparagano Olivier A. E.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1196/annals.1428.057
Subject(s) - antigen , adjuvant , mite , biology , immune system , antibody , immunology , immunization , titer , antibody titer , microbiology and biotechnology , ecology
In the current study whole poultry red mite antigens were extracted and birds were immunized subcutaneously with either antigen in adjuvant (antigen group) or PBS in adjuvant (control group). Immune responses of birds following immunization were investigated by ELISA and Western blotting, while vaccine efficacy was assessed by feeding of red mites on birds. Immunized birds showed a significant ( P < 0.05) increase in IgY titers after immunization compared to controls, while immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgM did not change significantly. However, the antigen group had a generally higher increase in all immunoglobulin titers compared to the controls. Western blotting identified a number of protein bands at different molecular weights, although these were not different between treatments. PCR analysis of whole mite protein identified bacterial DNA that might have confounded immunological data. In addition, there was a trend toward reduced survival rate of red mites feeding on antigen‐immunized birds, but the difference was not statistically significant compared to controls. This study demonstrates the potential for somatic red mite antigens to stimulate an antibody‐mediated immune response, although this response did not confer protection to birds.