Natural and acquired antibodies to Plasmodium lophurae in intact and bursaless chickens. II. Immunofluorescent studies
Congdon, L.L.; Farmer, J.N.; Longenecker, B.M.; Breitenbach, R.P.
Journal of Parasitology 55(4): 817-824
1969
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-3395
PMID: 4898417
Accession: 014571236
Indirect immunofluorescence was used to detect and measure antibody to Pl. lophurae in intact and hormonally bursectomized chickens. Antibody in intact chickens increased during an initial infection and reached a peak on about the 17th day. A challenge injection of the parasite on the 20lh day resulted in decreased titres of antibody. On the other hand, multiple injections of the parasite given 8 and 12 days after the initial inoculation resulted in higher titres of antibody. Bursaless chickens produced antibody to the parasite, but the titres were negligible, compared to those of intact chickens. A natural antibody to Pl. lophurae was detected by immuno-fluorescence in the plasma of uninfected intact chickens. The titres ranged from 1: 4 to as high as 1: 128 in older birds.