Eimeria infections in cows in the periparturient phase and their calves: oocyst excretion and levels of specific serum and colostrum antibodies.

Faecal Eimeria oocyst excretion and levels of antibodies to first generation merozoite antigen of E. bovis in sera and colostra were followed in 86 and 70 cow-calf pairs in northern (group EF) and central Germany (group H), respectively, over periods of 3 weeks before to 3 weeks after calving in cows and from birth to an age of 63 days in calves. Oocysts were found in 30 and 7.7% of cows in groups EF and H, respectively. They belonged to 10 (group EF) and four Eimeria spp. (group H) with E. bovis, E. ellipsoidalis, E. auburnensis and E. zuerni as the most frequently occurring species. Prevalence and intensity of oocyst excretion varied with time resulting in peak values around the date of parturition, particularly in the case of E. bovis. Peak values at the time of parturition were also seen in case of strongyle egg excretion. Seven (group H) and nine Eimeria spp. (group EF) were found in the calves. The predominant species E. ellipsoidalis, E. zuerni, E. bovis and E. auburnensis were detected for the first time earlier after birth (3-5 weeks) than the others. The prevalence of Eimeria infections increased to 67.1% (group EF) and 50.1% (group H) 9 weeks after birth. Specific IgM and IgA antibody levels (the latter only determined in group EF) in cow sera remained almost constant throughout the observation period, whereas IgG(1) and IgG(2) levels were reduced at the time of parturition. Levels of specific antibodies in sera and colostra were significantly correlated. Except IgM antibodies, significant inverse correlations were found in cows between intensity of infection with E. bovis and specific serum IgG (group H) and IgG(2) (group EF) antibodies. Antibodies to E. bovis were detected in calves sera only after colostrum intake with significant correlations between levels in calves sera and colostra. Levels decreased, starting within the first week of life (most conspicuously in case of IgM and IgA) until the third week. Subsequently, but except IgG(1) antibody concentrations increased until the end of the observation period. Interrelations between antibody levels and the total amount of E. bovis oocysts excreted by the calves until the ninth week of life varied with the age of the animals. Inverse relationships in the first 3 weeks of life as suggested by negative correlation coefficients could not be proven statistically. Thus, there is no unambiguous proof for immunoprotection of calves against E. bovis via maternal immunity. Considering antibody levels in the 3-9 weeks old calves significant direct correlations with E. bovis oocyst excretion were found in case of IgM, IgG(2) and IgA, reflecting an active immune response of young calves to coccidial infection.     

Immunity of specific pathogen-free lambs to challenge with an aerosol of Pasteurella haemolytica biotype A serotype 2. Pulmonary antibody and cell responses to primary and secondary infections

Specific pathogen-free (SPF) lambs previously exposed to an aerosol of P. haemolytica biotype A serotype 2 (A2) were immune to subsequent challenge with an aerosol of P. haemolytica A2. Untreated control lambs were not immune to this challenge. The local immune responses of the lung to these challenges were examined. High IgG and IgA titres to P. haemolytica and high levels of opsonizing antibody against P. haemolytica were present in the lung washings from previously infected immune lambs at autopsy, seven days after the second infection. Lung washings from control lambs, 7 days after challenge with P13 virus and P. haemolytica A2, had no IgG titres, very little opsonizing activity but did have IgA titres which were significantly higher than in unchallenged control lambs. The cellular response of animals challenged with P13 virus and P. haemolytica was significantly greater than that of unchallenged controls or of lambs exposed only to P. haemolytica. However, this finding was complicated by the response to P13 virus. Lymphocytes from lung washings of all lambs failed to respond in a lymphocyte stimulation test to phytohaemagglutinin while blood lymphocytes did respond. There was little specific response to P. haemolytica antigen in the test.     

Humoral immune response of foals to experimental infection with Rhodococcus equi

Humoral immune response to Rhodococcus equi in experimentally infected foals was studied with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Class-specific antibodies were measured by ELISA in the sera of foals after intratracheal or oral inoculation with R. equi ATCC 6939 or T 48 and in the lung washings of a foal after intratracheal inoculation or of normal horses. After intratracheal or oral inoculation with R. equi, serum antibodies were first detected in immunoglobulin G (IgG) followed by IgM and IgA classes, but significant levels of IgM and IgA developed only in the foal infected intratracheally with R. equi T 48. Only the foal infected intratracheally with T 48 developed pneumonia. Anti-R. equi IgG and IgA antibodies appeared in lung washings of the intratracheally infected foal. There were differences in the antibody response to R. equi among the intratracheally infected foals, the orally infected foal and the naturally infected foal. These results suggest that the humoral immune response to R. equi may be affected by the type of R. equi strain and the route and extent of R. equi exposure.     

Chronic pneumonia in calves after experimental infection with Mycoplasma bovis strain 1067: Characterization of lung pathology,persistence of variable surface protein antigens and local immune response

Background

Mycoplasma bovis is associated with pneumonia in calves characterized by the development of chronic caseonecrotic lesions with the agent persisting within the lesion. The purposes of this study were to characterize the morphology of lung lesions, examine the presence of M. bovis variable surface protein (Vsp) antigens and study the local immune responses in calves after infection with M. bovis strain 1067.

Methods

Lung tissue samples from eight calves euthanased three weeks after experimental infection with M. bovis were examined by bacteriology and pathology. Lung lesions were evaluated by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for wide spectrum cytokeratin and for M. bovis Vsp antigens and pMB67 antigen. IHC identification and quantitative evaluation of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T lymphocytes and immunoglobulin (IgG1, IgG2, IgM, IgA)-containing plasma cells was performed. Additionally, expression of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC class II) was studied by IHC.

Results

Suppurative pneumonic lesions were found in all calves. In two calves with caseonecrotic pneumonia, necrotic foci were surrounded by epithelial cells resembling bronchial or bronchiolar epithelium. In all calves, M. bovis Vsp antigens were constantly present in the cytoplasm of macrophages and were also present extracellularly at the periphery of necrotic foci. There was a considerable increase in numbers of IgG1- and IgG2-positive plasma cells among which IgG1-containing plasma cells clearly predominated. Statistical evaluation of the numbers of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells, however, did not reveal statistically significant differences between inoculated and control calves. In M. bovis infected calves, hyperplasia of bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) was characterized by strong MHC class II expression of lymphoid cells, but only few of the macrophages demarcating the caseonecrotic foci were positive for MHC class II.

Conclusions

The results from this study show that infection of calves with M. bovis results in various lung lesions including caseonecrotic pneumonia originating from bronchioli and bronchi. There is long-term persistence of M. bovis as demonstrated by bacteriology and immunohistochemistry for M. bovis antigens, i.e. Vsp antigens and pMB67. The persistence of the pathogen and its ability to evade the specific immune response may in part result from local downregulation of antigen presenting mechanisms and an ineffective humoral immune response with prevalence of IgG1 antibodies that, compared to IgG2 antibodies, are poor opsonins.     

The effects of endoparasitism on the immune response to orally administered antigen in cats

The aim of the study was to assess whether infection with Toxocara cati (T. cati) facilitates the induction of immunoglobulin (Ig) E or other antibody responses to a specific antigen administered with food in kittens. Two groups of 10 cats each, either experimentally infected with T. cati or parasite-free, were dosed with human serum albumin (HSA) added daily to their food from day 7 to 28 inclusive. Levels of HSA-specific IgE, IgG, IgA and IgM were assessed in the serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in both groups of cats at weeks 0, 2, 4 and 8. Although weak, an IgE response was detected in most of the cats 1 week after exposure to HSA. However, HSA-specific IgG and IgA could only be detected from the third week after exposure to HSA. The group of parasitized cats had significantly higher levels of HSA-specific antibodies of the IgG and IgA at weeks 4 and 8 (p<0.05 by Mann-Whitney) and IgE isotypes at weeks 2 and 4 (p<0.05 by analysis of variance (ANOVA)) than did the group of parasite-free cats. Specific IgM antibody was not detected in the sera of any of the 20 cats. These findings are supportive of a role of T. cati infection in enhancing the IgE response to orally administered antigens, and hence possibly, in genetically susceptible individuals, in the development of food hypersensitivity.     

Local antibody responses in the bile and faeces of sheep infected with Fasciola hepatica

The effect of infection with the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica on serum, bile and faecal immunoglobulin and antibody levels was studied in Scottish Blackface sheep. In the serum the immunoglobulins showing the most marked increase were IgG1 and IgG2 and their maximal values were reached at 16 weeks after infection. In the bile IgG2 rose to peak values at two weeks and IgG1, IgA and IgM were maximal at four weeks after infection. The levels of faecal IgG and IgA were low after primary infection but after reinfection a rapid increase in IgA concentration was observed within one to two weeks. Haemagglutinating antibody levels against egg antigens, juvenile and adult excretory-secretory antigens and adult fluke somatic antigens were evaluated. In the sera high titres were observed starting from two to four weeks after infection and persisting until 14 to 16 weeks. Bile haemagglutinating antibodies against excretory-secretory antigens showed the highest level at two and four weeks after infection while antibodies against adult somatic antigens reached maximal titres between four and eight weeks. Faecal antibody levels after primary infection were low but increased rapidly within two weeks after reinfection, coinciding with the elevation in faecal IgA concentration. However, there was no reduction in the number of flukes established in reinfected animals.     

Systemic and mucosal antibody responses to selected cell surface antigens of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli in experimentally infected chickens

The immune response to four cell surface antigens of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) was investigated as the first step in identifying vaccine candidates. F1 pilus adhesin, P pilus adhesin, aerobactin receptor protein, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from an O78 E. coli (strain EC99) were used as antigens. The proteins were purified as 6xhistidine-tagged recombinant proteins and LPS was purified from a phenol/water extract. Groups of 12 broiler chickens were vaccinated intranasally with the EC99 strain and challenged with the same strain 10 days later via the intra-air sac route. The chickens that survived were euthanatized 10 days postchallenge. Scores were assigned to infected chickens on the basis of lesions and recovery of the challenge E. coli. The immunoglobulin (Ig) IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies to the four antigens were measured in serum and air sac washings in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Among the chickens that were not vaccinated prior to challenge, two died and three of the survivors were ill, whereas, of the chickens that were vaccinated prior to challenge, one died and one of the survivors became ill. After the intranasal vaccination, high antibody activity against all four antigens was associated with each Ig isotype in serum and air sac washings. IgG was the predominant isotype of Ig in air sac washings as detected by radial immunodiffusion. Chickens that were not ill after challenge had greater IgG, IgA, and IgM antibody activity against all four antigens in serum and air sac washings than did sick chickens. Thus, all of the antigens tested appear to be suitable candidates for a vaccine to protect chickens from respiratory tract infections caused by APEC.     

Humoral and cellular immune responses of pigs inoculated with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae

Cellular and humoral immune responses of pigs inoculated with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae were investigated at postinoculation weeks (PIW) 2, 4, and 6. The response of blood lymphocytes (BL) and bronchial lymph node lymphocytes (LNL) to stimulation by M hyopneumoniae antigens was evaluated by a lymphocyte-stimulation test. Specific antibodies in serum and lung washing samples were assayed by ELISA. Immunoglobulin-positive cells in lungs and bronchial lymph nodes were identified by indirect fluorescent antibody test, using isotype-specific monoclonal antibodies. At PIW 0 to 6, BL from control and M hyopneumoniae-inoculated pigs were stimulated by M hyopneumoniae cells; however, BL from inoculated pigs generally had higher stimulation indices, especially at PIW 6. The response of LNL was influenced by previous exposure to M hyopneumoniae, as indicated by higher stimulation indices (P less than 0.01) of LNL from inoculated pigs killed at PIW 2 and 6. Specific ELISA antibodies to M hyopneumoniae in lung washings from inoculated pigs consisted mainly of IgG and IgA isotypes. Examination of lung sections by indirect immunofluorescence revealed that cells producing IgM and IgA were in controls as well as M hyopneumoniae-inoculated pigs, but IgG-positive cells were only in lungs of inoculated pigs. Resolution of pneumonia appeared to correlate with development of increased sensitization of BL, as well as development of marked increases in immunoglobulins, particularly IgG in lung washings at PIW 6.     

Normal profile of immunoglobulins in sera and tracheal washings of chickens

Concentration and distribution of the three immunoglobulins in the sera and tracheal washings of a chicken population was studied. The mean IgM, IgG and IgA concentrations in serum were 1.35, 5.09 and 0.31 mg/ml, respectively. The distribution of IgM and IgG in birds irrespective of age was almost normal whereas that of IgA was skewed. All the three immunoglobulins were present in tracheal washings but the level of IgM was barely detectable. The IgG was predominant in the tracheal washings but higher IgA : IgG ratio compared to that of serum indicated local IgA production in the chicken respiratory tract.     

Experimental intramammary inoculation with Mycoplasma bovis in vaccinated and unvaccinated cows: effect on local and systemic antibody response.

Four cows were vaccinated with Mycoplasma bovis five times at two week intervals: three times subcutaneously in Freund's complete adjuvant, and two times with M. bovis alone in two of four quarters by intramammary infusion. The effect of vaccination on the immune response was evaluated in the serum and whey of the four vaccinated and control (placebo) cows experimentally challenged in two of four quarters with live M. bovis. Vaccination resulted in markedly increased M. bovis-specific, serum IgM, IgG and IgG2, but not IgA, reactivity. Challenge exposure with live M. bovis by intramammary infusion resulted in high specific serum IgM, IgG1 and IgG2 reactivity and a noticeable IgA response in both vaccinated and control cows. Whey from quarters on vaccinated cows had elevated, specific IgG1 reactivity at the time of challenge but no other differences were observed. Challenge exposure with live M. Bovis resulted in high antibody levels of all isotypes in quarters which were challenged, but highly elevated reactivities in unchallenged quarters occurred only with IgG1 and IgG2. These results indicate that vaccination elevated M. bovis-specific IgG1 but not other immunoglobulin reactivity in quarters on vaccinated cows, and that live organisms are necessary to elicit a local, specific IgA response.     

Serum and mucosal antibody responses and protection in pigs vaccinated against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae with vaccines containing a denatured membrane antigen pool and adjuvant

Objective To investigate the protective efficacy of a pool of denatured membrane protein antigens of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (J strain) in the molecular size range 70 to 85 kDa (F3 antigen) in combination with adjuvants for pigs challenged with M hyopneumoniae .
Design A vaccine efficacy experiment with assessment of serum and respiratory tract antibody responses.
Procedure F3 antigens were emulsified with five different adjuvants. To groups of three pigs per vaccine, four vaccines were given by intramuscular injection, and two vaccines, including one of those given intramuscularly, were given by intraperitoneal injection.
Results Compared to six unvaccinated pigs, animals vaccinated with F3 antigen displayed significantly reduced pneumonia (54% reduction in mean lung score) following experimental challenge. Analysis of post-vaccination, pre-challenge IgG and IgA ELISA antibody absorbances in serum and respiratory tract washings revealed no correlation with lung score. Six weeks after challenge, pigs previously vaccinated intramuscularly mostly demonstrated greater IgG and IgA responses in respiratory tract washings, and greater IgG serum antibody responses, than those vaccinated by intraperitoneal injection.
Conclusion Pigs vaccinated with M hyopneumoniae antigens in the molecular size range of 70 to 85 kDa showed a significant reduction in lung lesions compared with unvaccinated control animals after experimental challenge. IgG and IgA antibody concentrations in serum and respiratory tract washings after vaccination do not provide a useful prognostic indicator of protection from enzootic pneumonia.     

Uterine mast cells and immunoglobulin-E antibody responses during clearance of Tritrichomonas foetus

We showed earlier that Tritrichomonas foetus-specific bovine immunoglobulin (Ig)G1 and IgA antibodies in uterine and vaginal secretions are correlated with clearance of this sexually transmitted infection. Eosinophils have been noted in previous studies of bovine trichomoniasis but the role of mast cells and IgE responses have not been reported. The hypothesis that IgE and mast cell degranulation play a role in clearance was tested in 25 virgin heifers inseminated experimentally and infected intravaginally with T. foetus strain D1 at estrus and cultured weekly. Groups were euthanatized at 3, 6, 9, or 12 weeks, when tissues were fixed and secretions were collected for culture and antibody analysis. Immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal antibody to a soluble lipophosphoglycan (LPG)-containing surface antigen (TF1.17) demonstrated antigen uptake by uterine epithelial cells. Lymphoid nodules were detected below antigen-positive epithelium. Little IgG2 antibody was detected but IgG1, IgA, IgM, and IgE T. foetus-specific antibodies increased in uterine secretions at weeks 6 and 9 after infection. This was inversely proportional to subepithelial mast cells numbers and most animals cleared the infection by the sampling time after the lowest mast cell count. Furthermore, soluble antigen was found in uterine epithelium above inductive sites (lymphoid nodules). Cross-linking of IgE on mast cells by antigen and perhaps LPG triggering appears to have resulted in degranulation. Released cytokines may account for production of predominantly Th2 (IgG1 and IgE) and IgA antibody responses, which are related to clearance of the infection.     

Immune response of cattle to respiratory mycoplasmas

M. bovis and M. dispar produce very different types of response in the calf lung. The immune response of the host plays a major role in the formation of the lesion induced by M. bovis and this response is predominantly Ig mediated. In contrast M. dispar produces a much milder reaction in the lung which may be related to an ability of the mycoplasma to inhibit the host's immune response. Recovery from infection appears to be primarily mediated by IgG present in the lung and functioning in conjunction with alveolar macrophages. The immunity following vaccination which is observed in experimental studies and field trials is also likely to be mediated by the same mechanism.     

Immunoglobulin isotype of specific antibodies in reproductive tract secretions and sera in Tritrichomonas foetus-infected heifers

Four virgin heifers were experimentally inoculated intravaginally with 7 x 10(6) Tritrichomonas foetus, and 2 heifers served as uninfected controls. The durations of infection were 13, 20, 21, and 28 weeks, respectively. An ELISA that used whole T foetus antigen was used to detect anti-T foetus immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG1, IgG2, and IgM) in vaginal, cervical, and uterine secretions, and sera during the course of infection. The vaginal and cervical antibody responses were characterized by significantly increased T foetus-specific IgA and IgG1 at 7 to 9 weeks of infection, whereas uterine IgA and IgG1 responses peaked at 10 to 12 weeks. The antibody response in serum was predominantly of the IgG1 and IgG2 subclasses. In all reproductive tract regions, IgA persisted at least until the time of T foetus clearance, and usually longer. The next most persistent isotype was IgG1, lasting longest in the vagina, then cervix, and for the shortest time in the uterus. In local secretions, IgG2 was seen only transiently, increasing at weeks 13 to 15 in the vagina, and at weeks 10 to 12 in the cervix. Little IgM, relative to that present before infection, was detected in any secretion or serum, although cervical secretions had the greatest amount. Eight to 12 weeks after clearance, the 4 experimental heifers were inoculated intravaginally with 1 x 10(5) T foetus; transient infections (2 to 3 weeks' duration) were established in only 2 of 4 heifers, as determined by culturing of reproductive tract secretions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Quantification of bovine IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies to Clostridium perfringens B-toxin by enzyme immunoassay I. Preparturient immunization for enhancement of passive transfer of immunity

A quantitative competitive binding "triple-sandwich" enzyme immunoassay was developed and used to evaluated pathogen/class-specific antibody responses in Holstein-Friesian cows vaccinated against Clostridium perfringens B-toxin. Vaccination of cows at six weeks and again at two weeks prepartum increased pathogen-specific IgG levels in each dam's colostrum and respective calf's serum. Pathogen-specific IgG and IgM concentrations in dams' sera and colostra were related to subsequent pathogen-specific IgG and IgM neonatal sera concentrations. Only pathogen-specific IgA in dams' colostra was correlated to neonatal levels, possibly owing to a different origin and role of this immunoglobulin class. All class-specific colostral immunoglobulin levels were related to subsequent neonatal concentrations. Isotypic antibody responses against C. perfringens B-toxin were found with pathogen-specific IgM predominant in dams' sera and pathogen-specific IgA predominant in colostra and neonatal sera.     

Immunoglobulins in nasal secretions of dog puppies from birth to six weeks of age

In order to investigate local immune defence mechanisms in the dog, the concentration of immunoglobulins (Ig) G, A and M in nasal secretions (NS) and serum of 42 healthy, neonatal Rottweiler puppies was determined. Ig were measured with a commercially available, dog-specific ELISA during the first six weeks of life. On average, IgG was the predominant Ig isotype during the first three days of life. The IgA:IgG ratio changed between weeks 1 and 3 due to markedly decreasing IgG concentrations. Between the fourth and sixth week, IgG predominated again. During the first week, only 21-39% of puppies had measurable amounts of IgM in NS, in week 2, this percentage increased to 69%. Marked differences between litters and between individual puppies within litters were found. No puppy diseased during the observation period and all developed normally.     

Serum and mucosal antibody responses against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae following intraperitoneal vaccination and challenge of pigs with M hyopneumoniae

Pigs were immunised intraperitoneally when six weeks old and again at about 10 weeks old with killed Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae antigen prepared in an oil adjuvant. The pigs were challenged with live M hyopneumoniae (Beaufort strain) at between 11 and 15 weeks old. Antigen specific antibody levels for both IgG and IgA classes in serum and respiratory tract secretion were monitored over time. In serum anti-M hyopneumoniae antibody was detected shortly after the second intraperitoneal vaccination and was largely IgG. In respiratory tract secretion the response was observed after challenge, and was primarily IgA. Anti-M hyopneumoniae antibody-containing cells and their immunoglobulin class specificity were monitored in lung and tracheal lamina propria. In lung the majority of anti-M hyopneumoniae-containing cells were IgG, whereas in the tracheal lamina propria the majority were IgA. These results are discussed in terms of the use of intraperitoneal vaccination for the control of M hyopneumoniae infection.     

Helicobacter pylori-specific immunoglobulin synthesis in gnotobiotic piglets: evidence for the induction of mucosal immunity in the stomach

Short term tissue biopsy cultures and paired, sera, bile and gastric and intestinal contents from Helicobacter pylori-infected gnotobiotic piglets were tested for the synthesis of H. pylori-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) isotype production by antigen-specific ELISA from post-infection days (PIDs) 2-28. Serum antibody levels in all three Ig isotypes were elevated from baseline values by PID 14, serum IgM levels reached peak levels on PID 14 and by PID 28 bile was strongly positive for IgA and IgG.Intestinal, but not gastric contents from infected piglets, contained IgA-specific antibody from PID 14 onward. Gastric mucosal epithelia adjacent to areas of inflammation in infected but not uninfected control piglets produced readily detectable amounts of porcine secretory component (SC); IgA-positive plasma cells were identified in gastric submucosa and lamina propria in these areas. Culture fluid supernatants, collected from explanted gastric cardia and antra and intestinal ilea of H. pylori-infected piglets had trace amounts of IgA as early as PID 2 in some animals, and strong IgA reactivity in all by PID 28. Supernatants also contained H. pylori-specific IgG by PID 14. A strong gastric lymph node IgA response contrasted with moderate IgA production in mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen. Mucosal biopsy production of H. pylori-specific IgG was more evenly distributed throughout the lymphoid system. These data support the contention that the Ig response to H. pylori is initiated within the gastric compartment and matures over time to a generalized IgA-dominated mucosal and IgG-dominated nonmucosal humoral immune response.     

Safety,immunogenicity, and efficacy of two Escherichia coli cya crp mutants as vaccines for broilers

Attenuated derivatives (delta cya delta crp mutants) of an O2 and an O78 avian septicemic Escherichia coli strain were used to immunize broiler chickens by spray to determine the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of the derivatives in single- and double-dose regimens. In the safety and immunogenicity studies, groups of 10 chickens were vaccinated by spray (droplet size approximately 20 microm) with the parent E. coli, the mutant organisms, or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at 14 days of age and euthanatised 21 days later. There was no deaths or gross pathologic finding in any of the chickens immunized with the vaccine strains. Compared with the levels in chickens exposed to PBS, there were significantly higher levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibody in serum and air sac washings and of IgA antibody in air sac washings in response to the virulent parent strains than to the vaccine strains. In efficacy studies, chickens were immunized with the O2 or the O78 vaccine strain or PBS at day 14 and with the O2 vaccine strain or PBS at days 10 and 14 and challenged with the parent strain 10 days after the last vaccination. There was no significant difference in local IgA and IgG and serum IgG responses between vaccinated and control groups. Chickens vaccinated with the O2 strain, but not the O78 strain, had significantly lower air sac lesion scores compared with those of the unvaccinated groups in both single- and double-dose regimens. We conclude that the mutant O2 strain provided moderate protection against airsacculitis.     

Change of antibody levels to ferritin in the sera of foals after birth: Possible passive transfer of maternal anti‐ferritin autoantibody via colostrum and age‐related anti‐ferritin autoantibody production

Antibody (immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM or IgA) levels relative to ferritin in six foal sera (three male and three female) after birth (day 0 and 2, 6, 10, 20, 28, 36, 40, 52 and 56 weeks of age) were semi‐quantitatively measured with normalization with antibody activity to ferritin in one adult horse serum. After addition of horse spleen ferritin to the serum sample, the complex formed between antibodies to ferritin in the serum and ferritin was co‐immunoprecipitated using antibody to horse spleen ferritin. Antibody classes of the co‐immnoprecipitate were detected with antibodies specific for horse IgG, IgM or IgA heavy chain. Six adult horse serum samples were found to have ferritin‐binding activities in all immunoglobulin classes examined. Although ferritin antibody activities (IgG, IgM and IgA) were scant in the foal sera before sucking colostrum (day 0), their activities increased at 2 weeks of age. IgG antibodies showed a biphasic response and IgM antibody activity increased up to 40 weeks of age. Antibody (IgG, IgM and IgA) activities to ferritin in three colostrum samples were significantly higher than in adult horse serum samples. These results demonstrate that antibody to ferritin in foal serum is derived from colostrum after birth and is produced thereafter.