Effect of Eimeria tenella Infection on the Histopathology and Cellular Immunity-related Gene Expression in Cecum of Roman Chicken

PurposeTo determine the effect of Eimeria tenella infection on the histopathology and mRNA expression of cellular immunity related genes in Roman powder chickens.

Method100 chickens were randomly divided into blank control group, infected group I, II, III and IV, 20 in each group, and infected group I, II, III and IV were orally administered 3×10⁴, 2×10⁴, 1×10⁴ and 0.5×10⁴ spores of chicken E. tenella oocysts, the blank control group orally the same volume of normal saline, at the end of the test, dissection test chicken, collecting cecum to make pathological sections, observe histopathological changes and score. At the same time, the mRNA expression levels of IL-2, IL-17, TGF-β1 and IFN-γ genes in the cecum were detected by real-time PCR.

ResultsIn the infected group I, II and III, the mucosal layer of the test group was severely damaged and the bleeding was obvious. A large number of inflammatory cells infiltrated, and a large number of worms were found in the glandular epithelial cells. The pathological damage score was severely injured; after infection with E. tenella. The expression of IL-2, IL-17, TGF-β1 and IFN-γ mRNA in the cecal tissue of the infected group increased at the 5^th and 7^th days and the difference was significant compared with the blank group (P<0.01).

ConclusionDifferent doses of E. tenella can cause different degrees of damage to chicken cecal tissue, and can induce the expression of IL-2, IL-17, TGF-β1 and IFN-γ genes incecal tissue.