Interaction of aflatoxin in the feed and immunization against selected infectious diseases in poultry. II. Effect on one-day-old layer chicks simultaneously vaccinated against Newcastle disease, infectious bronchitis and infectious bursal disease.

A study was conducted to assess the effects of aflatoxin contaminated feed on the immunoresponse of one-day old layer chicks to attenuated live virus vaccines for Newcastle disease (ND), infectious bronchitis (IB) and infectious bursal disease (IBD). Concurrent exposure of chickens to 2tiO parts per billion (ppb) aflatoxin in feed and vaccination against ND, IB and IBD resulted in lack of adequate protection against subsequent experimental challenge, as assessed by antibody responses compared to chickens fed aflatoxin-free ration. The mortalities were higher in chickens fed 200 ppb of aflatoxin than in chickens fed on aflatoxin-free ration.