Elevated 7S immunoglobulin and acute phase proteins in adjuvant-injected chickens.

Injection of chickens with FCA or FIA supplemented with either Bordetella pertussis or Nocardia rubra induced greatly increased serum levels of 7S Ig and proteins with alpha-, beta-, and gamma-mobility in electrophoresis. The serum protein changes were correlated with the development of DHS and the formation of a large allergic granuloma. The 7S Ig was considered "nonspecific" since it was not adsorbed with the bacterial cells. The alpha-, beta-, and gamma-mobility proteins were identified as acute phase proteins as they also were induced by injection of chickens with turpentine-oil; however, increased serum levels of 7S Ig were not similarly increased.