title: Cross-reactivity of anti-chicken IgY antibody with immunoglobulins of exotic avian species.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A major challenge in the serologic diagnosis of infectious diseases in exotic birds is the limited availability of species-specific antibodies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the current study was to determine if there is cross reactivity between commercially available anti-chicken IgY antibodies and immunoglobulins of several avian species, with particular emphasis on psittacines.
  
  
  METHODS
  To quantitate the reactivity with anti-chicken IgY, Western blot analysis was performed using plasma samples from many different avian species. Results were compared with gamma globulin fraction quantitation obtained by protein electrophoresis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  By Western blot, 2 protein bands corresponding to the heavy and light chains of chicken IgY were identified in species from 21 avian orders using 1 of 2 rabbit anti-chicken IgY antibodies. Densitometric analysis showed that the amount of immunoglobulin estimated from Western blots correlated strongly with data from protein electrophoresis assays.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results demonstrate that some commercially available anti-chicken IgY antibodies exhibit good cross-reactivity with most avian species.
authors.affiliation: Division of Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33101, USA. c.cray@miami.edu
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cray
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Villar