Measurement of Immunoglobulin Concentrations in the Feces of Healthy Dogs

Abstract

Selective immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency is the most common primary immunodeficiency in humans and may be associated with chronic gastrointestinal disease. This observation has led to the suggestion that the high susceptibility of German shepherd dogs (GSD) to chronic enteropathies is related to a deficiency in mucosal IgA production. Relative deficiencies of IgA has been reported in the serum, saliva, tears, and feces of GSD both with and without alimentary disease; however, the findings of different studies are not consistent. The aim of this study was to confirm whether a relative deficiency of IgA exists in the feces of GSD. Feces were collected from healthy GSD (n ‫؍‬ 209), Labrador retrievers (n ‫؍‬ 96), beagles (n ‫؍‬ 19), and miniature schnauzers (n ‫؍‬ 32). Fecal IgA, IgM, and IgG were measured by capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Fecal IgG concentrations in the four breed groups were not significantly different. IgA concentrations were significantly greater in miniature schnauzers than in GSD (P ‫؍‬ 0.0003) and Labradors (P ‫؍‬ 0.0004) but not significantly different from those in beagles. IgM concentrations were significantly greater in miniature schnauzers than in GSD (P < 0.0001), Labradors (P < 0.0001), and beagles (P ‫؍‬ 0.0098). These findings do not support the hypothesis that GSD have a relative deficiency in fecal IgA. The differences in immunoglobulin concentrations measured from a single defecation, between individuals of the same breed and between breeds, as well as the lack of an internal control molecule, make the determination of a normal reference range for all dogs impossible. Therefore, the usefulness of fecal immunoglobulin quantification for the assessment of intestinal immunoglobulin secretion in dogs is limited.

Testing Cort-Fitness and Cort-Adaptation hypotheses in a habitat suitability gradient for roe deer

“…IgA has also been revealed effective combating parasitic infestations by decreasing worm fecundity (Davies et al, 2005;Smith et al, 1985) In sort, IgA is the most abundant antibody isotype produced in both mammals and birds measurable non invasively and therefore aid to monitor adaptative immune function in wild fauna however do not provide information of innate immunity (Snoeck et al, 2006). IgA was extracted from fecal samples following Peters et al (2004). Dried faeces were incubated for 1 h in PBS 0.05% Tween 20, pH 7.4, as longer times did not enhance IgA extraction.…”

Non-invasive determination of the immune physiological state of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) in the Greater Khingan Mountains, China

“…The method used for saline extraction of fecal Ig was adapted from that used by Peters et al (2004) and Zaine et al (2011). The frozen fecal samples were thawed at room temperature, and mixed samples were composed of an equivalent quantity of feces from the same individual.…”

Effect of Tempeh Supplementation on the Profiles of Human Intestinal Immune System and Gut Microbiota

“…The method was adapted from Peters et al (2004). One gram of fecal specimen was diluted in 10 mL extraction buffer containing 0.01 M phosphate buffer saline (PBS) pH 7.4 containing 0.5% w/v Tween-20, and 0.05% w/v sodium azide.…”