Effects of bursectomy and thymectomy on the development of resistance to Cryptosporidium baileyi in chickens

Comparisons were made between the course of infection with Cryptosporidium baileyi in normal chickens and in chickens with functional deficiencies in either B-lymphocytes (bursectomized) or T-lymphocytes (thymectomized). Bursectomy did not influence the acquired immune response to C. baileyi infection as measured by the oocyst excretion. However, the total oocyst output of bursectomized birds was less than a quarter of that of the controls due to the reduced site for multiplication of the parasite. The total oocyst output of thymectomized chickens was more than 2 times higher and the patency was 2 times longer as compared with control animals. Moreover, thymectomized birds failed to acquire resistance to the challenge infection. These findings attest to the primary role of cell-mediated immunity in the expression of resistance to C. baileyi as opposed to the antibody-mediated mechanisms.