title: Humoral immunosuppressant activity of aflatoxin ingestion in rabbits measured by response to Mycobacterium bovis antigens using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and serum protein electrophoresis.
abstract: A total of 30 New Zealand white rabbits were divided into five equal groups. Animals in groups 1 and 3 were sensitized with bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), and those in groups 2 and 4 with inactivated cells of Mycobacterium bovis (Sensitinogen). Group 1 and 2 rabbits were fed 2 ppm day-1 aflatoxin for 3 months. Group 5 served as control. Serum samples from animals in all groups were subjected to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to determine antibody titre and to protein electrophoresis to determine immunoglobulin levels. The antibody titres and the immunoglobulin levels were significantly decreased in the aflatoxin-treated groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames 50011, USA.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gabal
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Dimitri
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000348:Aflatoxins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D001797:Blood Protein Electrophoresis; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis / Q000276:immunology*; D011817:Rabbits; D014373:Tuberculin / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000348:Aflatoxins; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D001798:Blood Proteins; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D014373:Tuberculin