Characterization and evaluation of the enzymatic activity of tetanus toxin submitted to cobalt-60 gamma radiation

Irradiated oocysts in combination with inulin adjuvant-induced potent immune responses against Eimeria tenella infection in broiler chickens

Coccidiosis is the leading parasitic disease in poultry. One of the most critical Eimeria species, Eimeria tenella, lives inside the cecal epithelial cells and induces bloody coccidiosis. The present study evaluated the effect of radiation-attenuated E. tenella oocytes mixed with inulin adjuvant on broiler chicken. Initially, the effect of irradiation on oocyst attenuation was confirmed. Then, one-day-old broilers (n = 90) were divided into nine groups on seven days of age as follow: Group 1 (400 attenuated oocysts + 1.00 mg of adjuvant), group 2 (400 attenuated oocysts + 0.50 mg adjuvant), group 3 (200 attenuated oocysts + 1.00 mg of adjuvant), group 4 (200 attenuated oocysts + 0.50 mg adjuvant), group 5 (1.00 mg adjuvant), group 6 (400 attenuated oocysts), group 7 (commercial vaccine), group 8 (negative control) and group 9 (blank). On day 21, we performed a challenge with E. tenella oocytes and investigated oocyst output and average weekly weight throughout the study. At the end of the study, we evaluated macroscopic lesion, histology, cytokine level and leukogram status. The results showed a statistically significant difference among groups. Furthermore, the optimal dose was 400 irradiated oocysts and 1.00 mg of inulin. Moreover, an X-ray could reduce the virulence of E. tenella oocytes. Inulin alone or combined with attenuated oocysts showed an acceptable effect on evaluated parameters.

Advances in Irradiated Livestock Vaccine Research and Production Addressing the Unmet Needs for Farmers and Veterinary Services in FAO/IAEA Member States

The Animal Production and Health section (APH) of the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture at the International Atomic Energy Agency has over the last 58 years provided technical and scientific support to more than 100 countries through co-ordinated research activities and technical co-operation projects in peaceful uses of nuclear technologies. A key component of this support has been the development of irradiated vaccines targeting diseases that are endemic to participating countries. APH laboratories has over the last decade developed new techniques and has put in place a framework that allows researchers from participating member states to develop relevant vaccines targeting local diseases while using irradiation as a tool for improving livestock resources.