Production of Specific Egg Yolk Antibody (IgY) against Cryptosporidium parvum Oocysts

Background and Objectives: Cryptosporidium parvum is a coccidian protozoan that causes diarrhea in immunocompromised humans and newborn animals. The severity of the disease depends on the immunological status of the affected. Cryptosporiosis can have lethal effects on immunocompromised individuals such as AIDS patients. About 10% of AIDS patients die following an infection with C. parvum. Since there is no efficient treatment for cryptosporidiosis, there is an urgent need to search for more effective and safer alternatives. IgY is an avian immunoglobulin found in egg yolks. Due to its several advantages, IgY technology has been successfully used in biomedical research on humans and animals in the recent years. In this study, the specific chicken egg yolk antibody (IgY) against C. parvum whole oocyst antigens was produced and examined. Methods: The effect of specific chicken egg yolk antibody (IgY) against whole oocyst antigens was examined. IgY sample was obtained from eggs of chickens immunized with C. parvum whole oocyst antigens and analyzed with lysate of C. parvum oocysts by dot blot assay. Results: The IgY was produced with concentration of 9.7 mg/ml. This antibody was able to recognize the whole oocyst antigens until the dilution of 1:1000, but the best dilution for other immunoassays was 1:500. Conclusion: Since chicken egg yolk is a cheap and convenient source for mass production of specific antibodies, the use of IgY against whole oocyst antigens could be considered a suitable candidate for passive immunization against cryptosporidiosis in humans and animals.