Production of egg yolk antibody (IgY) against shiga-like toxin (stx) and evaluation of its prophylaxis potency in mice.

OBJECTIVE

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (E. coli O157: H7) is an enteric pathogen, transmitted through contaminated water and food. Pathogenic factors include bacterial adhesion, invasion of intestinal epithelial and epithelium cells. The pathogenicity of EHEC is due to the production of Shiga-like toxin (Stx). This toxin binds to the ribosome and inhibits the synthesis of proteins. EHEC causes hemorrhagic colitis (HC) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The EHEC treatment with antibiotics leads to resistance. The best way to solve this problem is to use specific antibodies and prophylaxis. Egg yolk antibody (IgY) is a suitable method for prophylaxis. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the production of IgY against Stx toxin and its prophylaxis.

RESULT

The produced antibodies were confirmed by SDS-PAGE and ELISA. IgY was obtained at a concentration of about 5 mg/ml (30 mg of each egg) and a purity of more than 90%. Toxin and antibody challenge was performed in mice. The obtained IgY was able to neutralize the effect of Stx at 2 mg/mice.

CONCLUSION

This challenge showed that an antibody produced with an acceptable percentage was able to neutralize the effect of Stx.