2021/06/09 by Lucia Lee, Kate Samardzic, Michael Wallach +2
Immunology and Microbiology · Medicine · Veterinary · #Animal health and immunology #Microbial infections and disease research #Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
paper · pdf · doi:10.3389/fimmu.2021.696003
openalex publication_date 2021/06/09 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
Antiviral, antibacterial, and antiparasitic drugs and vaccines are essential to maintaining the health of humans and animals. Yet, their production can be slow and expensive, and efficacy lost once pathogens mount resistance. Chicken immunoglobulin Y (IgY) is a highly conserved homolog of human immunoglobulin G (IgG) that has shown benefits and a favorable safety profile, primarily in animal models of human infectious diseases. IgY is fast-acting, easy to produce, and low cost. IgY antibodies can readily be generated in large quantities with minimal environmental harm or infrastructure investment by using egg-laying hens. We summarize a variety of IgY uses, focusing on their potential for the detection, prevention, and treatment of human and animal infections.