UNASSIGNED: The aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of commercially available immunoglobulin Y (IgY) chewable tablets on Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) count in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment.
UNASSIGNED: Participants aged between 12 and 19 years who had fixed, nonextraction orthodontic treatment with no carious lesion were included in the study and advised to take IgY chewable tablet for 15 days (one course) and saliva samples were collected from the patients on day 61, 91, and 121 days from the placement of fixed appliance, to assess its ability in reduction of S. mutans count. The collected samples were processed, and S. mutans levels were estimated. The results were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20, and the repeated measures test was used to compare different groups.
UNASSIGNED: Immunoglobulin Y (IgY) chewable tablet was found to be significantly effective in decreasing S. mutans counts in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment during the study period.
UNASSIGNED: Oral passive immunotherapy via egg yolk antibody IgY effectively decreased the S. mutans level, which was found to increase during orthodontic fixed appliance treatment.
UNASSIGNED: The IgY chewable tablets can be used as an adjuvant to reduce S. mutans counts and provide basic oral hygiene measures.
UNASSIGNED: Muthukumaran M, Jayaprakash J, Arangannal P, et al. Efficacy of Immunoglobulin Y Chewable Tablets on Streptococcus mutans Count in Patients Undergoing Orthodontic Treatment. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(3):265-269.

BACKGROUND: Shigellosis is a gastrointestinal disease causes high morbidity and mortality worldwide, however, there is no anti-Shigella vaccine. The use of antibiotics in shigellosis treatment exacerbates antibiotic resistance. Antibodies, particularly egg yolk antibody (IgY), offer a promising approach to address this challenge. This study aimed to investigate the prophylactic effect of IgY produced against a recombinant chimeric protein containing the immunogens IpaD, IpaB, StxB, and VirG from Shigella.
METHODS: The chimeric protein, comprising IpaD, IpaB, StxB, and VirG, was expressed in E. coli BL21 and purified using the Ni-NTA column. Following immunization of chickens, IgY was extracted from egg yolk using the PEG-6000 method and analyzed through SDS-PAGE and ELISA techniques. Subsequently, the prophylactic efficacy of IgY was assessed by challenging of mice with 10 LD50 of S. dysenteriae and administering different concentrations of IgY (1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg) under various time conditions.
RESULTS: The recombinant protein, weighing 82 kDa, was purified and confirmed by western blotting. The IgY concentration was determined as 9.5 mg/ml of egg yolk and the purity of the extracted IgY was over 90 %. The results of the ELISA showed that at least 19 ng of pure antibody identified recombinant protein and reacts with it. The challenge test employing IgY and Shigella demonstrated a direct correlation between the survival rate and antibody concentration, with increased concentrations leading to decreased mortality rates. Treatment of mice with 10 mg/kg IgY leads to 80 % survival of the mice against 10 LD50 S. dysenteriae.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that IgY may offer therapeutic potential in treating Shigella infections and combating antibiotic resistance.

Streptococcosis, the most common bacterial disease of fish in recent years, is highly infectious and lethal, and has become an important factor hindering the healthy and sustainable development of aquaculture. Chicken egg yolk antibody (IgY) has the advantages of high antigen specificity, inexpensive and easy to obtain, simple preparation, no toxic side effects, and in line with animal welfare, which is a green and safe alternative to antibiotics. In this study, the potential of specific IgY in the treatment of gastrointestinal pathogens was explored by observing the effects of specific IgY on intestinal flora, pathological tissue, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response of tilapia. We used the specific IgY prepared in the early stage to feed tilapia for 10 days, and then the tilapia was challenged with Streptococcus agalactiae. The results showed that feeding IgY before challenge had a small effect on the intestinal flora, and after challenge specific IgY decreased the proportion of Streptococcus and increased the diversity of the intestinal flora; in histopathology, specific IgY decreased tissue damage and maintained the integrity of tissue structure. Further study found that specific IgY can reduce intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis and reduce caspase activity; at the same time, the content of MDA was decreased, and the activities of SOD, CAT, GSH-Px and GR were increased. In addition, specific IgY can down-regulate the expression levels of IL-8 and TNF-α genes and up-regulate the expression levels of IL-10 and TGF-β. The results of this study showed that specific IgY could improve the intestinal flora of tilapia infected with Streptococcus agalactiae, reduce intestinal cell apoptosis, oxidative stress injury and inflammatory response, thereby reducing tissue damage and protecting the health of tilapia. Overall, specific IgY can be further explored as a potential antibiotic alternative for gastrointestinal pathogen infections.

Gut microbiota has complex immune functions, related to different pathologies, including multiple sclerosis (MS).This study evaluated the influence of treatments on gut microbiota in people with MS (PwMS). The research comprised 60 participants, including 39 PwMS and 21 healthy controls (HC). Among the PwMS, 20 were prescribed a disease-modifying therapy (DMT), either interferon beta1a or teriflunomide, while 19 received a combination of classical DMT and an immunoglobulin Y (IgY) supplement. For each participant, two sets of gut samples were collected: one at the study\'s outset and another after two months. Alpha and beta diversity analyses revealed no significant differences between groups. In comparison to the HC, the MS group exhibited an increase in Prevotella stercorea and a decrease in Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Following treatment, individuals with MS showed enrichment in Lachnospiraceae and Streptococcus. The second sample, compared to the first one, demonstrated an increase in Bifidobacterium angulatum and a decrease in Oscillospira for individuals with MS. Gut microbiota diversity in PwMS is not significantly different to HC.However, specific taxonomic changes indicate the presence of a dysbiosis state. The use of DMTs and immunoglobulin Y supplements may contribute to alterations in microbial composition, potentially leading to the restoration of a healthier microbiome.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a rod-shaped, gram-negative, microaerophilic bacterium that can be identified by gram staining. Its relationship with cancer is significant since it is involved in approximately 80% of gastric cancers and 5.5% of all malignant cancers. Two lines of treatment have been defined for H. pylori, but almost 40% of patients do not respond to the first line. Recent trials have investigated oral Immunotherapy as a new treatment method. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the potential effects of oral Immunotherapy on eradication rate of H. pylori in human studies.
METHODS: The systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. We searched online databases, including Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science (ISI). Our search strategy was limited to English articles and studies on human populations that use oral immunotherapy for H. pylori.
RESULTS: The total number of primary research records in different databases was 2775. After removing duplicate articles (n = 870), we excluded 1829 for reasons including non-human studies, irrelevance to our study objective, non-English language, or lack of information. Of the remaining 76 articles, only seven had sufficient information, and the rest were excluded. The studies were divided into two groups: those that used bovine antibody and those that used immunoglobulin Y to eradicate H. pylori.
CONCLUSIONS: In the group of Immunoglobulin Y, three out of four studies suggest that using Immunoglobulin Y for the treatment of H. pylori infection is significant. However, the group using bovine antibody for the treatment of H. pylori infection has various results, as two out of three studies concluded that bovine antibody therapy is not significant.

BACKGROUND: Sporothrix globosa (S. globosa) is an agricultural activity-related but neglected pathogenic fungus responsible for sporotrichosis. Timely detection is crucial for managing and preventing its spread. However, due to the lack of efficient recognition elements for enriching S. globosa, the current approaches for detecting S. globosa are not simple and/or sensitive enough. This hinders their wider application of fast screening.
RESULTS: Herein, we successfully prepared immunoglobulin Y (IgY) targeting S. globosa, and developed a rapid and accurate detection method, improving upon current limited and inadequate detection approaches. Our method combined the use of IgY and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) to enhance detection sensitivity and specificity simultaneously. The IgY was fabricated on magnetic beads to specifically concentrate S. globosa in samples, while LAMP amplified the captured target after simple boiling DNA extraction. By using our method, as low as 4.66 × 102 Cells mL-1S. globosa was accurately detected in soil and corn straw samples. We further integrated this assay into a portable toolbox for sample-to-result detection in resource-limited areas. By using this toolbox, we have colorimetrically detected soil and corn straw samples contaminated by S. globosa, suggesting the promising on-site detection potential.
UNASSIGNED: A new IgY recognizing S. globosa was prepared. Through the combination of IgY enrichment and LAMP amplification, the detection sensitivity and specificity were improved simultaneously. This method eliminated thermal cycling, simplified the operation, and reduced the analysis time. Compared to existing methods, our approach is more suitable for on-site detection and can significantly improve public health responses to sporotrichosis outbreaks.

UNASSIGNED: Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by Vibrio cholera (V. cholera). The development of antibodies against specific V. cholerae may have a therapeutic effect. In the present research, we investigated the protective effect of egg yolk Immunoglobulin (IgY), which was produced by immunizing hens with formaldehyde-killed V. cholerae O1 and subsequently the isolated IgY was orally administrated to the V. cholerae O1 infected mice for evaluation of its immunizing capability.
UNASSIGNED: In the current study, hens were immunized three times with formaldehyde-killed V. cholerae O1 (1.5×107 CFU/ml) and an equal volume of adjuvant. The IgY was isolated from egg yolk by polyethylene glycol method. The validity and activity of isolated IgY were confirmed with SDS-PAGE and ELISA methods, respectively. Subsequently IgY was orally administered to suckling mice following challenge with V. cholerae O1. ELISA results showed high antibody titer in the serum and egg yolk. Also, SDS-PAGE analysis showed successful purification of IgY and anti-V. cholerae IgY prevented the death of mice infected with V. cholerae O1. The anti-V. cholera IgY was administered at 2, 4, 6 hr intervals after 3 hr of inoculation of mice with V. cholerae O1.
UNASSIGNED: Results showed that the rate of surviving mice (2 mg/ml of IgY) were 60% after 4 hr and 40% after 6 hr and the rate of surviving mice (5 mg/ml of IgY) was 70% after 4 hr and 60% after 6 hr.
UNASSIGNED: The findings suggested the egg yolk-driven IgY as a natural antibacterial protein, could be effective in the prevention and treatment of cholera disease.

UNASSIGNED: To determine the action of immunoglobulin Y (IgY) on supragingival microbiota and on subgingival microbiota in patients with gingivitis and periodontitis through microbial reduction assay.
UNASSIGNED: 40 systemically healthy patients were divided into two groups (gingivitis and periodontitis) with 20 patients per group. Supragingival and subgingival plaque samples were collected from each patient in Group I and Group II, respectively. Sample 1 and Sample 2 from each patient were immediately transferred into sterile Eppendorf tube 1 and tube 2 with microbial transport media, respectively. Both the tubes were then immediately transferred into an anaerobic jar and sent to the microbial facility. IgY was then added to these samples. All the samples were collected in duplicate vials to check the in vitro antimicrobial activity of microbes with IgY and without IgY. Microbial reduction percentage was calculated based on the colony count comparing the colonies with and without IgY.
UNASSIGNED: The mean CFUs in the gingivitis group with IgY samples was significantly lesser as compared to the periodontitis group. The mean CFUs in gingivitis and periodontitis group with IgY samples was significantly lesser as compared to those without IgY samples.
UNASSIGNED: IgY has a significant role in the reduction of bacterial count in supragingival and subgingival plaque samples. So, IgY when used as a local drug delivery agent or mouthwash, as an adjunct to scaling and root planing may reduce gingival and periodontal diseases but further studies showing its effect must be carried out to validate the same.

IgY antibodies are found in the blood and yolk of eggs. Several studies show the feasibility of utilising IgY for immunotherapy and immunodiagnosis. These antibodies have been studied because they fulfil the current needs for reducing, replacing, and improving the use of animals. Affinity and avidity represent the strength of the antigen-antibody interaction and directly influence antibody action. The aim of this review was to examine the factors that influence the affinity and avidity of IgY antibodies and the methodologies used to determine these variables. In birds, there are few studies on the maturation of antibody affinity and avidity, and these studies suggest that the use of an adjuvant-type of antigen, the animal lineage, the number of immunisations, and the time interfered with the affinity and avidity of IgY antibodies. Regarding the methodologies, most studies use chaotropic agents to determine the avidity index. Studies involving the solution phase and equilibrium titration reactions are also described. These results demonstrate the need for the standardisation of methodologies for the determination of affinity and avidity so that further studies can be performed to optimise the production of high avidity IgY antibodies.

In addition to their role, immunoglobulins can be used in animal and human diagnostic (immunoassay-based) measurements, prophylaxis and (immuno)therapy. For these purposes, today\'s \"alternative\" that is advantageous from an animal ethical point of view is the bird immunoglobulin Y isolated from egg yolk. Its development and production are cost-effective, the complexity is low, and due to its advantageous properties, it can be used in assays or even more so in medical therapies (primarily passive immunization). It is widely used (against pathogens or their toxins) in treatments of intestinal or metabolic diseases and inflammations. Its application in human diagnostics is limited, some markers are measured using immunoglobulin Y as assay component. In this study, a possible application, which is less common today, is presented. The problem of environmental impacts is becoming significant. Due to human activities, industrialization, environmental changes increase the appearance of natural environmental pollutants, including the effects of mycotoxins produced by molds locally and/or globally, which (mainly through nutrition) affect humans. Such agents often appear together, several mycotoxins affect the individual. As a result of their persistence, mycotoxins absorbed in the intestinal tract and accumulated in organs, can already reach levels that can cause physiological and/or behavioral effects. Although the examination of sources (contaminated foods) is regulated by law, the extent of accumulation has not been or cannot be examined and is often insufficiently taken into account. Due to the nature of the technique, the anti-mycotoxin avian immunoglobulin Y could be used both for detection of (deposited) mycotoxin(s) and/or even for immunotherapy (e.g., mycotoxin neutralization). Demonstrating the endocrine-disrupting mycotoxins using the example of zearalenone (with an explanation of its reproductive and immunological effects), we present generation of zearalenone (and mycotoxin-specific) avian immunoglobulin developments, advocate its use in human detection, urging the development of measurements that are suitable for detecting (multiple) accumulation. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(39): 1527-1536.
Az immunglobulinok a biológiai funkciójuk mellett önállóan is alkalmazhatók állat- és humándiagnosztikai, immunoassay alapú mérési eljárásokban, a profilaxisban és (immun)terápiákban is. A fenti célokra napjaink állatetikai szempontokból is előnyös „alternatívája” a madár-, tojássárgájából izolálható, poliklonális, ún. immunglobulin-Y. Fejlesztése, termelése költséghatékony, a komplexitás alacsony, és a termelt immunglobulin-Y az előnyös tulajdonságai miatt jól használható is immunoassay-ben vagy még inkább az orvosi terápiákban (elsősorban a passzív immunizálásban). Napjainkban már széles körben alkalmazzák (patogének vagy expresszált toxinjaik ellen, a bélrendszer megbetegedései, gyulladásai vagy metabolikus betegségek kezelésében stb.). Humándiagnosztikai felhasználása azonban még limitált, néhány marker mérése történik ilyen anyagok – mint valamilyen immunoassay-komponens – felhasználásával. Tanulmányunkban egy lehetséges, ma még kevésbé elterjedt alkalmazási területet mutatunk be. Napjainkban a környezetterhelés problémaköre egyre jelentősebb. Az emberi tevékenységek, az iparosodás következtében a környezeti változások a természetes környezetterhelők megjelenését – köztük az egyes penészgombák által termelt mikotoxin-behatásokat is – lokálisan és globálisan is fokozzák, ami (elsősorban a táplálkozás útján) már az emberi közösségeket is érinti. A behatások gyakran együttesen jelentkeznek, több mikotoxin hat egy időben az egyedre. A mikotoxinok – a bélcsatornán felszívódva és felgyűlve a szervekben, szövetekben – már elérhetnek olyan szinteket, amelyek akár élettani, akár viselkedésre gyakorolt hatásokat is kiválthatnak. Bár az expozíciós források (például gabona és feldolgozott élelmiszerek) vizsgálata már hatóságilag is szabályozott, az akkumuláció ténye, mértéke sok esetben nem vizsgált vagy nem vizsgálható, illetve gyakran nem kellően veszik figyelembe. A dedikált (antimikotoxin)-madár-immunglobulin-Y praktikusan a technika jellege miatt is alkalmazható lehetne mind a (deponálódott) mikotoxin(ok) kimutatására, mind immunterápiás (például mikotoxin-neutralizációs) célokra. Az endokrin diszruptor hatású mikotoxint a zearalenon példáján (szaporodásbiológiai és immunológiai hatások ismertetésével) demonstrálva, a zearalenonra specifikus madárimmunglobulin-fejlesztéseket és -lehetőségeket szeretnénk bemutatni, szorgalmazva ezzel a humánkimutatásban való alkalmazást, valamint olyan mérési rendszerek fejlesztését is sürgetve, amelyek alkalmasak lehetnek dedikált, akár a többszörös akkumuláció igazolására is. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(39): 1527–1536.