Fish erythrocytes are endowed with the ability to produce cytokine like factors when stimulated with Candida albicans (Ca). To evaluate whether similar activities are still conserved in bird erythrocytes (BE), a morphological, cytochemical and immunological evaluation was conducted on peripheral cells in chickens (Gallus gallus). BE form rosettes with monocytes (Mo)-macrophages (MØ), and Mo-MØ according to cytochemical analysis to maintain phagocytic functions across the evolution. Finally, Ca-activated BE release in the supernatants cytokine like-factors that enhance Mo-MØ phagocytosis (interferon-γ-like activity) and inhibit Mo-MØ migration in agarose (migration inhibitory factor activity). In conclusion, bird erythrocytes, as nonimmune cells, are able to participate in the immune response contributing to the host defence.

Salmonella pullorum-gallinarum binding to chicken lymphocytes has been evaluated in individuals of different age (1–20 wks). Bacterial adherence has been studied on lymphoid cells recovered from thymus, spleen, bursa and peripheral blood. Binding was age-dependent and neuraminidase treatment of lymphoid cells led to an increase of adherence. In addition, by using two monoclonal antibodies, the CT-1, which defines thymocytes and the M-4 which identifies surface IgM and an avian homologue of mammalian IgD on B lymphocytes, distribution of Salmonella pullorum-gallinarum binding to T and B lymphocytes has been analyzed. Results show that either T lymphocytes or B lymphocytes have the capacity to form rosettes with Salmonella. In particular, B cells from bursa and spleen display the highest capacity of adherence to bacteria, this supporting the defence function which has been attributed to bursa of Fabricius.

binding to chicken lymphocytes has been evaluated in individuals of different age (1–20 wks). Bacterial adherence has been studied on lymphoid cells recovered from thymus, spleen, bursa and peripheral blood. Binding was age-dependent and neuraminidase treatment of lymphoid cells led to an increase of adherence. In addition, by using two monoclonal antibodies, the CT-1, which defines thymocytes and the M-4 which identifies surface IgM and an avian homologue of mammalian IgD on B lymphocytes, distribution of binding to T and B lymphocytes has been analyzed. Results show that either T lymphocytes or B lymphocytes have the capacity to form rosettes with . In particular, B cells from bursa and spleen display the highest capacity of adherence to bacteria, this supporting the defence function which has been attributed to bursa of Fabricius.

The respiratory symptoms observed after aerosol vaccination with the La Sota strain of Newcastle disease virus were eliminated by mixing the anti-inflammatory compound benzydamine with the vaccine prior to aerosol administration. Benzydamine had no effect on the vaccine virus or on the development of haemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies.