Immunostimulants, Vaccines, and Environmental Stressors in Aquaculture: NBT Assays to show Neutrophil Activity by these Immunomodulators
Abstract
While neutrophil activity assays have been used in human and veterinary medicine for diagnosis of blood
neutrophil abnormalities, they are rarely used because of difficulties of handling nitro blue tetrazolium
(NBT) solutions, drawing and preparation of blood samples and subjectivities in visual readings. We have
developed modifications for a simplified NBT assay that can be used in the diagnosis and tracing the
effectiveness of immunostimulants, vaccines and environmental stressors of fish. While training and
practice for biologists and technicians is needed, the NBT assays can yield good results when applied to
fish.
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References
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