In vitro immunostimulation of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) leucocytes with beta glucan and/or Photobacterium damsela bacterin

Respiratory burst and phagocytic activities of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) leucocytes were determined after an in vitro incubation of head kidneys with different doses of yeast glucan and Photobacterium damsela (formerly Vibrio damsela) O-antigen. Although there was an increment of these immune functions with the treatment of glucans and O-antigen compared with controls, they were inhibited at high doses (200 mu g/ml). The optimum dose of glucan was 50 mu g/ml when it was administered alone, but a concentration of 10 mu g/ml was enough to produce the stimulatory effect.