EFFECT OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS-AUREUS PROTEIN-A AND FREUNDS COMPLETE ADJUVANT ON AFLATOXIN B-1 TOXICITY IN BROILERS

The effect of protein A (PA) and/or Freund's Complete Adjuvant (FCA) o n aflatoxin B-1 (AFL B-1) toxicity was studied using forty-eight one m onth old Balady Behary broiler chickens. They were divided into eight groups (n = 6). Group I and II was injected s.c. with PA in saline in a dose of 60 mu g/kg b. wt. Group III and IV were injected s.c. with F CA in a dose of 200 mu l/kg b. wt. Groups V and VI were injected s.c. with PA and FCA in a dose of 60 mu g and 200 mu l/kg b. wt., respectiv ely. Four weeks later groups 1, III, V and VII were injected s.c. with AFL B-1 in a dose of 85 mu g/kg b. wt, for five consecutive days. Gro up VIII was kept as a control-group. All chickens were sacrificed one day after the last AFL B-1 injection. RBC count was significantly redu ced while ALP, ALT, AST, gamma-GT and bilirubin were significantly ele vated. The liver of the AFL B-1 intoxicated group (VII) showed promine nt histopathological changes characterized by swelling, vacuolization and necrosis of the hepatocytes and proliferation of the bile duct epi thelium. The nephrotoxicity was expressed by hyperemia of the glomerul i and the interstitial blood capillaries and degenerative changes in t he epithelial cells of the proximal tubules, while the testes showed t esticular degeneration. The most noticeable changes in the lymphoid or gans were observed in the bursa fabricii and expressed by reduction in the size and number of the bursal follicles and medullary depletion o f lymphocytes. In conclusion the results showed, that PA and FCA preve nt the toxic changes induced by AFL B-1 in chickens.