Phagocytic and oxidative burst activity of chicken thrombocytes to Salmonella, Escherichia coli and other bacteria

The potential role of chicken thrombocytes in immune responses to Salmonell a, Escherichia coli and other bacteria was investigated by in vitro assays of phagocytosis and respiratory burst activity. Thrombocytes were found to phagocytose bacteria, but were found to be less phagocytic than heterophils . Oxidative burst activity was generated upon challenge of thrombocytes wit h various Salmonella strains, E. coli, three other bacterial species, and z ymosan A. These findings indicate that thrombocytes may play a role in inna te immunity to bacteria in the chicken.