In vitro and in vivo effectiveness of egg yolk antibody against Candida albicans (anti-CA IgY)

Vaccine. 2008 Apr 16;26(17):2073-80. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.02.046. Epub 2008 Mar 13.

Abstract

We prepared anti-Candida albicans antibody in chicken egg yolk (anti-CA IgY) and investigated its in vitro and in vivo effectiveness. Anti-CA IgY significantly reduced the adherence capacity of C. albicans to FaDu cells (human pharynx carcinoma cells) in a dose-dependent manner. The protective efficacy of anti-CA IgY was investigated in experimentally induced oral candidiasis in immunosuppressed mice. Oral administration of anti-CA IgY significantly reduced the number of C. albicans and the scores of the tongue lesions. Moreover, anti-CA IgY reduced the colonization of C. albicans in mice organs. These results indicate that anti-CA IgY has a protective effect against the oral candidiasis of experimentally infected mice and reduces the dissemination of C. albicans. Putting together, these results indicate that anti-CA IgY is effective against C. albicans. This effect might be due to the blocking of the binding of C. albicans to the host cells. Therefore, anti-CA IgY might be considered as a prophylactic immunotherapy or possibly an adjunctive antifungal therapy.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Fungal / immunology
  • Antibodies, Fungal / pharmacology*
  • Candida albicans / drug effects*
  • Candida albicans / immunology
  • Candidiasis / drug therapy
  • Candidiasis / immunology*
  • Candidiasis / prevention & control
  • Candidiasis, Oral / microbiology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Egg Yolk / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins / immunology
  • Mice

Substances

  • Antibodies, Fungal
  • IgY
  • Immunoglobulins