Hyperimmune hens as a novel source of anti-Cryptosporidium antibodies suitable for passive immune transfer.
Leghorn hens were subcutaneously immunized with 25 micrograms of Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst emulsified in Freund's complete adjuvant. A booster dose was injected 5 weeks later. Anti-Cryptosporidium activities of yolks and sera measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), demonstrated high levels in both sera and egg yolks which persisted for at least 17 wk. Preparations from yolks with high, medium and low anti-Cryptosporidium ELISA activities were used in a neonatal mouse model to assess their biological activities. A significant parasite reduction (P less than or equal to 0.001) was found between the high and all other groups. Hyperimmune eggs could be used as a source for passive immunity in cryptosporidiosis.
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Department of Veterinary Science, University of Arizona, Tucson 85721.
Sterling
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D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002645:Chickens / Q000276:immunology*; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D016785:Cryptosporidium parvum / Q000276:immunology*; D004530:Egg Yolk / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D011247:Pregnancy; D011897:Random Allocation
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan