This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Saif, L. J. Articles by Gupta, R. K. P. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Saif, L. J. Articles by Gupta, R. K. P.

Isolation of Porcine Immunoglobulins and Determination of the Immunoglobulin Classes of Transmissible Gastroenteritis Viral Antibodies ¹

^a Department of Veterinary Science, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, Ohio 44691

ABSTRACT

The porcine immunoglobulins M (IgM), A (IgA), and G (IgG) were isolated and purified and some of the properties of the porcine milk IgA were examined. Monospecific antisera which were prepared against these immunoglobulins in rabbits were then used to absorb a particular class of immunoglobulin from sow serum, colostrum, and milk in an attempt to identify the immunoglobulin classes of neutralizing antibodies to the porcine enteric virus, transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE). The results of these absorption studies suggest that in colostrum and milk from sows experimentally (orally) or naturally infected with live virulent TGE virus, IgA is the predominant immunoglobulin class of TGE antibodies. Both IgA and IgG TGE antibodies appeared to be present in the serum from these sows, but with IgG TGE antibodies predominating. In contrast, in the serum, colostrum and milk from sows vaccinated intramuscularly or intramammarily with live attenuated TGE virus, the TGE antibody activity was associated mainly with the IgG class of immunoglobulins. These results provide additional data indicating that the route of infection or vaccination markedly influences the immunoglobulin class of antibodies in colostrum and milk. Secondly, IgA antibodies in mammary secretions are probably essential for providing optimal passive immunity of nursing pigs against infection with TGE virus.

² Present address: Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Haryana Agricultural University, Hissar, India.

¹ Journal article no. 49-72 from the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, Ohio 44691.