Levamisole increases leukocyte count and immunoglobulin levels in young boars

Levamisole has been used as an immunomodulator in the treatment of some diseases and conditions include parasitic invasions and immunocompromised conditions in domestic animals. The aim of the study is usage of levamisole to modulate the immune responsiveness in young boars in condition of intensive exploitation like handling using restraint. Therefore, hematological and immunological variables were assessed in Swedish Landrace boars treated with levamisole for three consecutive days. Levamisole treatment effected a significant increase in total leukocyte count immediately upon the last dosage (day 3, p0.01), which persisted to days 4, 5 and 6 (p0.01 to p0.001). Also, the percentage of neutrophilic granulocytes increased significantly on days 5, 6 and 7 (p0.001 and p0.0001), whereas the percentage of eosinophil cells decreased significantly on days 7 and 11 after levamisole administration (p0.01 and p0.001). Lymphocyte, basophil and monocyte counts were unaffected by levamisole treatment. Serum IgG concentration was significantly elevated on days 5, 6, 7, 11 and 14 (p0.01 to p0.001, respectively), whereas IgA concentration showed a significant increase only on day 14 (p0.01) after levamisole administration. Levamisole treatment had no effect on serum levels of IgM. Cortisol levels remain unaffected throughout the period of observation. Levamisole treatment increased nonspecific cellular and humoral immunity in boars.