A Khastar - Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
H Farzin - Department of Veterinary and Biotechnology Research, Mashhad Branch, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Mashhad, Iran
M Jamshidian-Mojaver - Department of Veterinary and Biotechnology Research, Mashhad Branch, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Mashhad, Iran

Cholera toxin (CT) is one of the most well-known immunostimulants. Mammalian studies have shown that CT can generate immune responses against antigen. However, it has not exhibited a definite effect on poultry yet. In this study, focusing on a cost-effective method, the effect of different concentrations of CT obtained from Vibrio cholerae biotype El Tor and serotype Inaba was investigated on the immunogenicity of infectious bronchitis vaccine. After culturing and concentrating CT, different concentrations of CT (۰.۱, ۱, ۲, and ۵ micrograms) were combined with avian infectious bronchitis vaccine strain H۱۲۰ produced by Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute (RVSRI) and, at ۷ days of age, inoculated via the eye drop administration in ۴۲ specific-pathogen-free chickens (seven groups of six chicks that included four experimental groups, two negative control groups (PBS and toxin), and one positive control group). Blood samples were taken weekly from the wing veins of the chickens, and the immunoglobulin G (IgG) titer was checked by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results showed that ۲ µg of CT in comparison with other concentrations caused a significant increase in the antibody titer against avian infectious bronchitis in the blood serums of the chickens. One-way ANOVA test showed that all the results of this study were significant at P<۰.۰۵ level. Our data show that CT has the potential to further stimulate the immune system of chickens and may increase the immunogenicity of the infectious bronchitis vaccine. However, more research is needed to examine all aspects of the use of this toxin in animal vaccines.

Adjuvant, Infectious bronchitis, vaccine, Vibrio cholerae toxin