BACKGROUND

A major challenge in the serologic diagnosis of infectious diseases in exotic birds is the limited availability of species-specific antibodies.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the current study was to determine if there is cross reactivity between commercially available anti-chicken IgY antibodies and immunoglobulins of several avian species, with particular emphasis on psittacines.

METHODS

To quantitate the reactivity with anti-chicken IgY, Western blot analysis was performed using plasma samples from many different avian species. Results were compared with gamma globulin fraction quantitation obtained by protein electrophoresis.

RESULTS

By Western blot, 2 protein bands corresponding to the heavy and light chains of chicken IgY were identified in species from 21 avian orders using 1 of 2 rabbit anti-chicken IgY antibodies. Densitometric analysis showed that the amount of immunoglobulin estimated from Western blots correlated strongly with data from protein electrophoresis assays.

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrate that some commercially available anti-chicken IgY antibodies exhibit good cross-reactivity with most avian species.