Antibody passive immunization against veterinary infectious disease

Abstract

Abstract The administration of antibodies for passive immunization against infectious agents has recently received increased attention due its use in human treatment for high consequence diseases (e.g., Ebola). The desire for alternatives to antimicrobial pharmaceutical use in food and companion animals has also sparked interest in this product category for veterinary species. Newtechnologies applied to veterinary passive immunization include host-species origin, chimeric, and ‘veticized’ monoclonal antibodies, as well as plantibodies. However, historic husbandry and veterinary practices, and the availability/low cost of food animal (by-)products, have resulted in continued extensive use of more conventional technologies. Injectable polyclonal serum and immunoglobulin specific for viruses, bacteria and toxins are commercially available. Oral colostrum and related products to treat failure of passive transfer in newborns are used in multiple species. Heterologous-species oral antibodies (including chicken IgY for mammalian use) for prevention of enteric disease is yet another category of product. The wide variety of immunoglobulin sources, species immunized, explicit or implied claims, regulations, and human health impacts for this category of materials provide opportunities for expansion and practical use of comparative immunology information.