Total Immunoglobulin Y Detection in Avian Malaria-infected Domestic Birds from Uganda
Loading...
Files
Date
2018-02-09
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Academic Journals
Abstract
Background and Aim: The use of microscopy-based and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods have offered considerable
insights in detecting avian blood malaria infection in domestic and wild birds. The infection has a significant impact on the
immunity of birds. However, some observations concerning the role of immune system in controlling the infection continue to question
the extent of immune factors involved. To address this, the current study hypothesized that avian malaria infection may influence the
humoral response of domestic birds. Materials and Methods: The prevalence of avian malaria parasites (both Plasmodium and
Haemoproteus spp.) in free-ranging domestic birds from Uganda was evaluated using PCR and the level of Immunoglobulin Y (IgY)
antibody in malaria-infected and uninfected birds was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Result: The results
showed that 10 (15.15%) of 66 individually tested birds were infected with avian malaria parasites. Interestingly, an increase in the level
of IgY associated with the infection was found. Of note, the uninfected birds exhibited a consistent level of IgY, however, less than
in malaria-positive birds. It is likely that avian malaria-independent factors may have been involved in this induction in uninfected birds.
Conclusion: The data obtained in this study suggest that avian malaria infections influence the production of IgY in domestic birds,
therefore indicating the potential of IgY as an immune biomarker for screening avian malaria infection in domestic birds. However, these
observations are subject to further investigation with larger sample size.
Description
Keywords
Avian malaria, domestic birds, IgY antibodies, immunity, Immunoglobulin Y, Uganda