Inhibitory Effects of Chicken Egg Yolk Antibody on Infection of Escherichia coli in Macrophage

Abstract

The present study evaluated the potential use of immunoglobulin prepared from egg yolk of chickens immunized with Escherichia coli K88 (IgY-Ec) in the control of E. coli K88 infection in RAW 264.7 murine macrophage. The binding activity of IgY-Ec against E. coli K88 surface protein was more specific and increased than control IgY. In infection assay of E. coli in macrophage, the specific IgY-Ec to E. coli K88 remarkably inhibited the phagocytic activity comparing to nonspecific IgY (p<0.001). In adherence assay, bacterial adhesion on macrophage cells was definitely reduced by preincubation of IgY-Ec compared with nonspecific IgY (p<0.05). These findings suggested that IgY-Ec have the protective effects against pathogens and IgY-based diets may have potential benefits for preventing or treating various infections in domestic animals.