Award details

Immunological control of coccidial infection

Reference	BBS/E/I/00001048
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Adrian Smith
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	The Pirbright Institute
Department	The Pirbright Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	56,940
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/07/2003
End date	30/06/2006
Duration	36 months

Abstract

The main objective of this project will be to determine the cellular nature of the immunoprotective response(s) to infection with Eimeria maxima and E. vermiformis. Increased understanding of the immunoprotective response is essential and will indicate which parts of the host immune response need to be targeted during the rational development of the next generation of anti-coccidial vaccine strategies. It is essential that we apply an integrated approach to this problem, utilising the highly manipulable E. vermiformis murine model as a lead system to develop the avian/E. maxima section of the project and aid in interpretation of results. We also propose to apply our new technique for adoptive transfer of lymphocytes between immune and naïve chickens to examine the effector cell subsets that control E. maxima infection in the chicken. Antigenic diversity within some Eimeria spp. has major implications for vaccine development and we will examine the interrelationship between host and parasite genetics that govern the development of broad strain-cross-reactive immune protection. This information will help to define how many antigenic determinants have to be included in a vaccine to protect all of the genetically diverse UK flock from disease. The studies with Eimeria spp. also impact on the general understanding of gut immune responses, which are particularly relevant to the generic design of oral vaccination strategies.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Animal Sciences (AS)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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