Stimulation by levamisole of cell-mediated immunity in weaned pigs

Abstract

Commercial crossbred pigs weaned at four weeks were allocated into three equal groups. The experimental group 1 was primed intramuscularly, and the experimental group 2 was primed per os, with levamisole at an immunostimulatory dose of 2.5mg/kg once daily, for three consecutive days, and controls received saline. Venous blood samples from all pigs were collected after the last levamisole or saline dose was given (day 0), and 35 days later (day 35) for flow cytometry analysis. The results obtained by immunophenotyping of isolated circulating lymphocytes on day 35 indicate that priming by levamisole of weaned pigs selectively recruited CD4⁺, CD8⁺ and CD4⁺CD8⁺, but not CD21⁺ cells in the systemic circulation.

Key words:

• Weaned pigs
• Levamisole
• Immunomodulation
• Cell-mediated immunity