Levamisole Hydrochloride as Immunostimulant Drug Synergies the Effect of Eimeria tenella Lab-made Vaccine: Experimental Trial

Abdelrazek Y. Desouky, Mohamed A. Mohamed, Khaled Sultan, Nagwa M. Elhawary and Noha Ibrahim Ammar

Background and Objective: Eimeria tenella is one of the most important parasitic pathogens threaten chickens particularly broilers worldwide. Levamisole hydrochloride is known to be an immunostimulant agent. The present study described the experimental evaluation using Levamisole hydrochloride in combination with a Lab-made vaccine against E. tenella infection in broilers. Materials and Methods: A lab-made vaccine of E. tenella Egyptian strain sonicated sporulated oocysts was prepared. Eighty broiler chickens (one day old) were used; the chicks were divided in to 4 groups. The 1st group (G1) kept as control negative (no vaccine, no challenge). The 2nd group (G2) vaccinated with inactivated Lab-made vaccine. The 3rd group (G3) immunized with inactivated Lab-made vaccine I/M as (G2) then Levamisole administrated orally. The 4th group (G4) kept as control positive. For testing the efficacy and comparison; OPG (oocyst per gram), serum Interleukin 4 (IL4) levels, Immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels in both serum and ceca, as well as histopathological changes in ceca of tested groups were evaluated. Results: The results of immunological parameters, parasitological OPG level and histological examination indicated vaccinated groups showed better immunological response than non-vaccinated group, more over vaccinated group that given Levamisole orally showed better response to challenged infection. Conclusion: Sonicated E. tenella oocysts when used as a vaccine gave good immune response against infection, moreover adding of Levamisole orally may enhance the effect of coccidial vaccine. Further studies on coccidiosis vaccination and its improvements are strongly recommended.

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