Haems Kristof, Strubbe Diederik, Van Rysselberghe Nathalie, Rasschaert Geertrui, Martel An, Pasmans Frank, Garmyn An
Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Zoological Medicine, Ghent University, B9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
Terrestrial Ecology Unit (TEREC), Ghent University, B9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Animals (Basel). 2024 Apr 25;14(9):1291. doi: 10.3390/ani14091291.
Thermophilic species are the most common cause of bacterium-mediated diarrheal disease in humans globally. Poultry is considered the most important reservoir of human campylobacteriosis, but so far, no effective countermeasures are in place to prevent the bacterium from colonizing broiler flocks. This study investigated maternal antibodies' potential to offer protection against in broiler chicks via a field trial and an immunization trial. In the field trial, breeder flocks with high and low anti- antibody levels in the yolk were selected based on serological screening. Offspring were subsequently monitored for maternal antibodies and prevalence during early life. Although maternal antibodies declined rapidly in the serum of broilers, offspring from flocks with lower anti- antibody levels seemed to be more susceptible to colonization. In the immunization trial, breeders from a seropositive breeder flock were vaccinated with an experimental bacterin or subunit vaccine. Immunization increased antibody levels in the yolk and consequently in the offspring. Elevated maternal antibody levels were significantly associated with reduced susceptibility in broilers at 2 weeks old but not at 1 and 3 weeks old. Overall, the protective effect of maternal immunity should be cautiously considered in the context of control in broilers. Immunization of breeders may enhance resistance but is not a comprehensive solution.
嗜热菌是全球人类细菌性腹泻疾病最常见的病因。家禽被认为是人类弯曲菌病最重要的宿主，但到目前为止，尚无有效的对策来防止该细菌在肉鸡群中定植。本研究通过一项田间试验和一项免疫试验，调查了母源抗体对肉鸡雏鸡提供保护的潜力。在田间试验中，根据血清学筛查选择了蛋黄中抗抗体水平高和低的种鸡群。随后对后代进行母源抗体和早期生活中患病率的监测。尽管母源抗体在肉鸡血清中迅速下降，但抗抗体水平较低的鸡群的后代似乎更容易受到定植。在免疫试验中，来自血清阳性种鸡群的种鸡用实验性菌苗或亚单位疫苗进行免疫。免疫提高了蛋黄中的抗体水平，进而提高了后代中的抗体水平。母源抗体水平升高与2周龄肉鸡易感性降低显著相关，但与1周龄和3周龄时无关。总体而言，在肉鸡弯曲菌控制的背景下，应谨慎考虑母源免疫的保护作用。种鸡免疫可能会增强抵抗力，但不是一个全面的解决方案。
