Specific Immune Gammaglobulin in the Control of Mycoplasma meleagridis

Abstract

Turkey embryos naturally infected with Mycoplasma meleagridis were treated with different fractions of turkey immunoglobulins obtained from either abattoir or hyperimmune sera. The whole crude globulin fraction, IgG or IgM, were injected directly into the yolk sac of infected embryos. Embryos that died during incubation were broken out, aged, and the yolk sac contents cultured for M. meleagridis. All globulin treatments significantly reduced embryo mortality; purified IgG from abattoir sera appeared to be the most effective in this regard, whereas the crude globulin fraction from the same source was least effective. All surviving poults were kept under observation for 21 days after hatching and monitored for further mortality, presence of skeletal deformities, airsacculitis, and serological presence of M. meleagridis. On the basis of these data it is readily apparent that injection of homologous specific immune gammaglobulins may be an attractive method for enhancing passive immunity transfer and thereby reducing the deleterious effects of egg-transmitted M. meleagridis. Of particular significance is the finding that globulin fractions from naturally immune turkeys offer quantitatively similar protection as compared to those derived from hyperimmune birds.