Evaluation of Hyperimmune Hen Egg Yolk Derived Anti-Human Rotavirus Antibodies (Anti-HRVIgY) against Rotavirus Infection

Abstract

Oral delivery of specific IgY has been reported to be beneficial against rotavirus infection. However, the production of IgYs against globally prevalent human rotavirus (HRV) serotypes and their evaluation detailing the influence on the virological/histopathological consequences have not been reported to date. In the present study, anti-HRVIgY was generated in the eggs of specific pathogen free hens immunized with HRV serotypes G1 - G4 and G9 independently. Purified anti-HRVIgY preparations were tested to determine the ELISA and neutralizing antibody titers respectively in an indirect ELISA and cell culture based neutralization assay. Efficacy of pre and post infection treatment of anti-HRV-3IgY was assessed in an infant BALB/c mouse model of human rotavirus infection by monitoring percent diarrhea, severity and duration of diarrhea, intestinal viral load and histopathology. High (1:64000 - 1:512000) titered anti-HRVIgYs were obtained from the egg yolk of immunized hens with peak titer value (1:256000/1:512000) at 40 - 60 day of immunization. <i>In-vitro</i>, each of the anti-HRVIgY preparations showed the presence of multiserotypic neutralizing activity with high (1:1600 - ≥1:6400) homologous and low (≤1:50 - 1:800) heterologous titers. However, anti-HRV-3IgY neutralized all of the serotypes tested in the study indicating broader <i>in-vitro</i> neutralizing activity. In mice, post exposure treatment with anti-HRV-3IgY significantly reduced the extent of diarrhea and intestinal virus load and inhibited histopathological changes whereas pre exposure anti-HRV-3IgY treatment imparted immediate protection from development of rotavirus gastroenteritis. Thus, the anti-HRVIgY administered orally decreased morbidity and disease incidences in mice suggesting its potential implication in prophylactic and therapeutic usage in human to achieve reduction in rotavirus disease burden

Avian rotavirus enteritis – an updated review

“…Laying hens immunized against different antigens, transfer high concentration of specific IgY to egg yolk. Many researchers evaluated a beneficial effect of purified IgY antibodies specifically produced against RVs (Kuroki et al 1993;Ebina 1996;Sarker et al 2007;Buragohain et al 2012;Diraviyam et al 2014). Oral administration of chicken IgY has been shown to be effective against diarrheal pathogens in various animals and humans especially against bovine and human RVs.…”

Immunoglobulin Y for Potential Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications in Infectious Diseases

“…Furthermore, an orally administered solution of specific IgY against the MO strain conferred complete or significant protection against strains of rotavirus in later infected BALB/c mice ( 61 , 62 ). With combination IgY treatment against the G1, G4, and G9 serotypes, protection was also observed in infected mice administered feed containing specific IgY, as well as a marked reduction in viral load, histopathological damage, and diarrhea ( 63 ). Decreases in duration and extent of diarrhea were observed in infected mice treated with an orally administered solution of specific IgY ( 4 ), a Rotamix IgY treatment ( 64 ), or feed containing IgY in phosphate-buffered saline ( 65 ).…”

“…Additional clinical studies showing favorable safety of IgY given orally include treatment with a gel containing anti-Candida IgY ( 316 ), treatment with lozenges containing anti- P. gingivalis IgY ( 317 ), ingestion of anti-rotavirus IgY in pediatric patients with rotavirus diarrhea ( 63 , 67 ), and ingesting yogurt containing anti- H. pylori IgY ( 167 ). Parenteral administration of IgY has not been evaluated but may be of value as a single injection in situations such as the need for antivenom treatment.…”

Colostrum Antibodies, Egg Antibodies and Monoclonal Antibodies Providing Passive Immunity for Animals

“…Currently, the oral passive immunization using chicken IgY has been focused as an alternative to antibiotics for the treatment and control of diarrhea. IgY has been demonstrated to be effective in controlling and preventing diarrhea in humans and in animals including piglets (Cui et al 2012;Vega et al 2012), mice (Buragohain et al 2012), poultry (El-Ghany 2011; Farooq et al 2012), and calves (Cook et al 2005;Germine et al 2011;Vega et al 2011). Most commercially available chickens are immunized at birth to protect them from avian diseases.…”