Relationship between immune system and gram-negative bacteria. Binding of Salmonella pullorum-gallinarum to chicken lymphocytes

Abstract
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.