Mycobacterium phlei as an oral immunomodulator with Newcastle disease vaccine.

Experiments were conducted in chickens to understand the effects of oral immunomodulation. Heat inactivated M phlei, a commensal Mycobacterium and a non-specific immunomodulator, was administered orally prior to live Newcastle disease F (ND F) strain vaccination. In experimental birds it lead to an enhanced cell mediated Immune response (CMI) against the vaccine. There was a reduction in the Haemagglutination inhibiting (HI) antibodies. However, it did not affect the protection against a virulent challenge, as the protection percentage was more or less same in vaccinated birds irrespective of the M.phlei administration. M. phlei administration could not enhance the immune response to inactivated ND F vaccine administered orally. The results indicate that M. phlei favours a CMI response to orally administered live ND F vaccine. It may be of potential use in enhancing CMI against vaccines and a cheaper alternative to costlier recombinant cytokines.