Role of circulating maternal anti-rotavirus IgG in protection of intestinal mucosal surface in turkey poults.
The effect of circulating maternally transferred IgG on immunity of turkey poults to rotavirus infections was investigated. Specific-pathogen-free (SPF) turkey hens were hyperimmunized with avian group A rotavirus 2 weeks before the laying cycle. SPF poults designated positive for group A rotavirus (Rab+) and negative for such maternal antibody (Rab-) were challenged orally with the homologous virus at 2, 5, or 12 days of age (challenge Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively). Poults were examined at 3 and 6 days postinfection (PI) for clinical signs, gross lesions, histopathological changes in the small intestine, rotavirus in intestinal contents, and D-xylose absorption as an indicator of the intestinal absorptive function. In challenge Groups 1 and 2, rotavirus titers in the intestinal contents were significantly lower in Rab+ poults than in Rab- poults at 3 days PI. Gross lesions and D-xylose absorption results were consistent with the virus-shedding data. Histopathological changes were moderate and comparable in Rab- and Rab+ poults. In challenge Group 3, however, no significant differences were observed between Rab- and Rab+ poults in any of the examined parameters. Results provided evidence that circulating maternally derived IgG has an important role in protection of the intestinal mucosa against rotavirus infection during the first week of life. It is suggested that protective immunity afforded by maternal IgG is titer-dependent.
Shawky
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Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Ohio State University, Wooster 44691.
Saif
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Swayne
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D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D010058:Oviposition; D011201:Poultry Diseases; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000276:immunology*; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D014422:Turkeys
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G