Abstract
The present study is the first demonstration of an association of the genetic serum Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) concentration with bacterial infections in chickens. The genetic serum MBL concentration was determined in two chicken breeds, and the association with the specific Pasteurella multocida humoral immune response during an experimental infection was examined. Furthermore, we examined the association of the genetic serum MBL concentration with systemic infection. The chickens with systemic infection had a statistically significant lower mean serum MBL concentration than the rest of the chickens, suggesting that MBL plays an important role against P. multocida. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between the specific antibody response and the genetic serum MBL concentration for both breeds. This indicates that MBL in chickens is capable of acting as the first line of defence against P. multocida by diminishing the infection before the adaptive immune response takes over.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Comparative Immunology, Microbiology & Infectious Diseases |
| Volume | 33 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Pages (from-to) | 183-195 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| ISSN | 0147-9571 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - May 2010 |
Keywords
- Former LIFE faculty
- Mannan-binding lectin
- MBL
- Innate immunity
- Humoral immunity
- pasteurella multocida
- chickens