M. Malkinson - Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet-Dagan, Israel
A method of raising antibodies against plant viruses in hen egg yolk is described. Laying hens were immunized with citrus tristeza virus (CTV) or tobacco mosaic virus-avocado isolate (TMV-A). Antiviral antibodies in the yolks of sequentially laid eggs as well as in the serum were titrated by the (heterologous) antiglobulin double antibody sandwich form of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (HADAS-ELISA). Antibodies first appeared in yolk 7 days after injection and peak levels were attained on day 9–11; these levels persisted for about 6–12 days. Non-specific yolk antibodies were removed by absorption with an extract of uninfected plant tissue. Using the HADAS-ELISA technique we found that yolk titres were equal to, or higher than those in serum. The benefits of using laying hens over conventional laboratory animals as a source of antiviral antibody are discussed.
M. Malkinson - Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet-Dagan, Israel
A method of raising antibodies against plant viruses in hen egg yolk is described. Laying hens were immunized with citrus tristeza virus (CTV) or tobacco mosaic virus-avocado isolate (TMV-A). Antiviral antibodies in the yolks of sequentially laid eggs as well as in the serum were titrated by the (heterologous) antiglobulin double antibody sandwich form of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (HADAS-ELISA). Antibodies first appeared in yolk 7 days after injection and peak levels were attained on day 9–11; these levels persisted for about 6–12 days. Non-specific yolk antibodies were removed by absorption with an extract of uninfected plant tissue. Using the HADAS-ELISA technique we found that yolk titres were equal to, or higher than those in serum. The benefits of using laying hens over conventional laboratory animals as a source of antiviral antibody are discussed.