Cellular immune response in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss):: Flow cytometric study

Assays devoted to the study of non-specific cellular defense mechanisms of rainbow trout: phagocytosis, oxidative burst and nonspecific cytotoxicity, were developed. Compared to conventional methodologies flow cytometry provides a rapid, suitable and reproducible method for analysing fish cellular immune functions. In addition to the assessment of the defense mechanisms interesting data are directly provided from the observation of unstained cells. Flow cytometric profiles of cells are representative of the organ from which the leukocytes originated and each lymphoid organ displays a characteristic cytogram pattern. Flow cytometry emerges as a useful tool to study immune reactions and pathogenic processes.