Abstract
Pigeon circovirus (PiCV) is the most frequently diagnosed virus in pigeons and is thought to be one of the causative factors of a complex disease called the young pigeon disease syndrome (YPDS). The development of a vaccine against this virus could be a strategy for YPDS control. Since laboratory culture of PiCV is impossible, its recombinant capsid protein (rCP) can be considered as a potential antigen candidate in sub-unit vaccines. The aim of this basic research was to evaluate the immune response of pigeons to PiCV rCP. Sixty six-week-old carrier pigeons were divided into two groups (experimental immunized with PiCV rCP mixed with an adjuvant, and control immunized with an adjuvant only), and immunized twice in a 21-day interval. On the day of immunization and on two, 23, 39, and 46 days post first immunization (dpv), samples of blood, spleen, and bursa of Fabricius were collected from six birds from each group to examine anti-PiCV rCP IgY, anti-PiCV rCP IgY-secreting B cells (SBC), IFN-γ gene expression, and percentage of T CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and B IgM+ lymphocytes. The results indicated a correct immune response to PiCV rCP both in humoral and cell-mediated immunity, which was manifested by seroconversion since 23 dpv, by a significantly higher anti-PiCV rCP IgY-SBC number on two and 23 dpv, and significantly higher IFN-γ gene expression since two dpv. There were no significant differences or trends noted between particular T and B lymphocyte subpopulations. To conclude, PiCV rCP may be deemed immunogenic and could be considered as an antigen candidate in sub-unit vaccines against PiCV infections in pigeons.
Highlights
Belonging to the genus Circovirus and the family Circoviridae, the pigeon circovirus (PiCV) [1] is thought to be one of the causative factors of the greatest health problem in global pigeon breeding: young pigeon disease syndrome (YPDS) [2]
Immunized pigeons was the samples obtained from both groups of pigeons, but in the PiCV recombinant capsid protein (rCP) immunized birds, the number samples obtained from both± groups of1pigeons, but in the PiCV
No similar data exists concerning PiCV and pigeons, but considering results obtained in this study and findings reported in the available literature as well as similarities between YPDS and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2)-SD, an analogous mechanism could be involved in the immune response against PiCV. Under conditions of this basic research, pigeon immunization with PiCV rCP induced both humoral and cell-mediated immunity, which was manifested by a significant increase in the number of IgY from 23 days post first immunization, by an increase in the number of anti-PiCV rCP IgY-secreting B cells (SBC)
Summary
Belonging to the genus Circovirus and the family Circoviridae, the pigeon circovirus (PiCV) [1] is thought to be one of the causative factors of the greatest health problem in global pigeon breeding: young pigeon disease syndrome (YPDS) [2]. PiCV infections are spread worldwide due to the specificity of pigeon breeding [3] like, e.g., inability to follow biosecurity procedures, especially in the case of racing birds These birds usually take part in pigeon races or shows where hundreds or thousands of birds originating from different geographic areas have direct or indirect (watering during transport) contact with each other. For this reason, the spreading of infectious diseases in pigeons is rapid and they are affected by numerous pathogens [2,4]. Asymptomatic infections with this virus are quite common and account for 36–53% of the population [8,9,10]
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