Dynamics of non-specific reactivity indices in chicken blood in experimental staphylococcosis and colibacillosis

Abstract

Diseases of microbial aetiology namely colibacillosis and staphylococcosis are prevalent in poultry farming as asymptomatic carriers of these bacteria among birds are common. Besides microorganisms upon penetrating the organism harm it in multiple ways such as by creating a host of toxins which helps evade the immune response. To evaluate effector mechanisms of the immune system and the level of immune reactivity we suggested employing leukocytic indices, whereupon we analysed leukocytic indices in experimentally infected chickens and used them as diagnostic criteria for controlling the state of organism in developing pathology. In the course of our research we conducted two experiments. For the first experiment we divided chickens into two groups: Group I – control, Group II – chickens challenged intraperitoneally with Staphylococcus aureus (2 McFarland units). In the second experiment Group III was control, while Group IV was challenged in the same way with Escherichia coli. Blood samples were collected on Day 1, Day 3, Day 5 and Day 7 after the challenge. The following indicators were studied: leukogram and dynamics of leukocytic indices. We observed reliable changes in indicators of each experimental group, but the challenge with E. coli caused a less pronounced endotoxic effect on the organism of male chicks.