Abstract:
Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is an acute contagious viral disease in small ruminants. New methods and adjuvants are needed to increase the immunological potential of the vaccines used and to prolong the duration of action. The aim of this research is to determine the effectiveness of the combination of different doses of lentinan and PPR vaccine on total antibody and some cytokines levels in sheep. For this purpose, 21 sheep were randomly divided into 3 equal groups and the groups were designed as PPR vaccine control, PPR vaccine+Low dose lentinan (5 mg dose, i.v.) and PPR vaccine+High dose lentinan (10 mg dose i.v.). The immunological and hematological parameters were analyzed in all groups before the first application (0. hour) and on the 7th, 14th, 21st, 30th, 45th, 60th, 75th and 90th days. Antibody levels against PPR appears to be positive after 7 days in all groups. However, the antibody level in the PPR+Lent5 group increased partially on the 30th, 60th and 90th days as compared to the PPR group. In addition, the antibody level in the PPR+Lent5 group tends to increase although the antibody level of PPR vaccine group tends to decrease on the 30th day. IL-6, IL-10, IL-4, IFN-? levels were induced due to the stimulation of Th1 and Th2 cells by different doses of lentinan at different times. In conclusion, lentinan can be a beneficial adjuvant/supporting agent for vaccines. However, more detailed research is needed for different durations, and in different pharmaceutical forms and doses of lentinan.