Involvement of CD 8+ and CD 3+ lymphocytes in the transport of Eimeria necatrix sporozoites within the intestinal mucosa of chickens

The phenotype of cells transporting sporozoites of Eimeria necatrix during a primary infection was determined using a panel of six monoclonal antibodies to various chicken lymphocyte surface markers. Sporozoites and cells harboring them were examined at 8, 12 and 18 h postinfection using two-color immunoflorescence and confocal microscopy. The majority of parasites observed within lymphocytes were found in CD 8+ (15%) or CD 3+ (13–22%) cells at all time periods examined. Smaller numbers were found within δγ TCR+ (5%) and αβ TCR+ (5%) lymphocytes. No sporozoites were found within CD 4+ or IgM+ lymphocytes at any of the time periods.