COMBINED EFFECT OF T-2 TOXIN AND A GRAIN EXTRACT FEED ADDITIVE ON THE IMMUNE RESPONSE IN PIGS

The immunomodulating effect of a wheat extract (Immunovet-HBM) feed supplement in pigs suffering from immunosuppression caused by 1.5 and 3.0 ppm T-2 toxin was examined. Immune response was measured after vaccination (day 1 and 5) of the animals against Aujeszky’s disease. Specific and non specificin vitrocellular immune response was measured by the lymphocyte stimulation test (LST) induced by PHA-P, ConA, PWM and inactivated suspension of the Aujeszky virus. Humoral immune response, e.g. specific antibody titre was measured by virus neutralisation test. All the measured parameters were significantly and dose dependently lower in pigs fed T-2 containing diet than in the controls. The wheat extract supplementation induced a better immune response compared to pigs exposed to T-2.