Heat stress, Eimeria spp. and C. perfringens infections alone or in combination modify gut Th1/Th2 cytokine balance and avian necrotic enteritis pathogenesis

Author(s):Show less -

Calefi, Atilio Sersun ^{[1, 2]} ; Quinteiro-Filho, Wanderley Moreno ^{[1, 2]} ; de Siqueira, Adriana ^{[1, 2]} ; Nascimento Lima, Ana Paula ^{[1, 2]} ; Gimenes Cruz, Daniel Sanzio ^{[1, 2]} ; Hazarbassanov, Nicolle Queiroz ^{[1, 2]} ; Salvagni, Fernando Auciello ^{[1, 2]} ; Borsoi, Anderlise ^{[1, 2]} ; Massoco Salles Gomes, Cristina de Oliveira ^{[1, 2]} ; Maiorka, Paulo Cesar ^{[1, 2]} ; Piantino Ferreira, Antonio Jose ^{[1, 2]} ; Palermo-Neto, Joao ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Pathol, Sch Vet Med & Anim Sci, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Ave Prof Dr Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, BR-05508270 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: VETERINARY IMMUNOLOGY AND IMMUNOPATHOLOGY; v. 210, p. 28-37, APR 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Information on the dynamics of the chicken immune system during bacterial or parasite challenge in the presence or absence of stressful situations may provide a better understanding of the complex mechanisms behind these diseases. Necrotic enteritis (NE) had been controlled previously by the proper use of antimicrobial agents; however, more recently, NE has reemerged in many countries. The imposed restrictions on antimicrobial use and/or the intensive productive programs implemented by producers are challenges the birds, leading to large host adaptive responses that in many instances are like those elicited by stressors. This study analyses the effects of heat stress on Th1/Th2 cytokine balance, pathological features, and Toll-like receptor expression in the small intestine of broiler chickens infected with Clostridium perfringens type A in the presence or absence of Eimeria spp. co-infection. This co-infection model was experimentally used because it reproduces the findings commonly observed in the field during avian NE. For this purpose, broiler chickens infected with C. perfringens and/or Eimeria spp. were reared in isolator chambers subjected or not to heat stress intermittently. It was observed that heat stress directs the expression of Th2-type cytokines, increases Toll-like receptor 4 expression in the intestine and reduces the disease severity induced by Eimeria spp. and C. perfringens infections alone or in combination, most likely as a consequence of stress-induced changes in brain-gut axis activity. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/03103-2 - Evaluation of heat stress on the development of necrotic enteritis due to Clostridium perfringens in broilers
• Grantee: Atilio Sersun Calefi
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 13/17408-2 - Effects of heat stress on immunity of broilers in an experimental model of avian necrotic enteritis
• Grantee: Atilio Sersun Calefi
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 09/51886-3 - Neuroimmunomodulation: drugs, stress and cytokines on nervous, endocrine and immune systems relationships
• Grantee: João Palermo Neto
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants