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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Animal Biosciences & Biotechnology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #323039
Title: Passive immunization with hyperimmune egg yolk IgY as prophylaxis and therapy for poultry diseases---A review

Author
item GADDE, UJVALA DEEPTHI - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA)
item RATHINAM, T - University Of Arkansas
item Lillehoj, Hyun

Submitted to: Animal Health Research Reviews
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/16/2015
Publication Date: 12/1/2015
Citation: Gadde, U., Rathinam, T., Lillehoj, H.S. 2015. Passive immunization with hyperimmune egg yolk IgY as prophylaxis and therapy for poultry diseases-A review. Animal Health Research Reviews. 16(2):163-176. doi: 10.1017/S1466252315000195.

Interpretive Summary: Understanding the role of various immune factors which are secreted by specific immune cells (T lymphocytes) in the host are critical to develop prevention strategies against many infectious agents. In this study, ARS scientists collaborated with scientists in a Korean university to study the role of one specific immune factor called IL-17 which is secreted by T lymphocytes in a bacterial infection using the duck as a model. The results showed that the IL-17 protein enhances the innate immune reponse in ducks but not in chickens by inducing other bioactive proteins in immune cells that cause inflammation. This study showed an underlying immune mechanism which is important in host’s response to a bacterial infection in duck species. This paper also points out animal species-differences in host immune response to pathogens.

Technical Abstract: Passive immunization with pathogen-specific egg yolk antibodies (IgY) is emerging as a potential alternative to antibiotics for the treatment and prevention of various human and animal diseases. Laying hens are an excellent source of high-quality polyclonal antibodies, which can be collected noninvasively from egg yolks. The use of IgY offers several advantages in that it is environmental friendly, nontoxic, and reduces the numbers of animals required for antibody production. This article reviews the use of IgY antibodies in the treatment and prevention of enteric pathogen infections in poultry. Brief descriptions of the production, structure, and properties of IgY are also presented. Some limitations of the technology and future perspectives are discussed.