Chicken Antibodies to Group a Streptococcal Carbohydrate

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Abstract
Adult chickens were hyperimmunized with group A streptococcal vaccine in an attempt to elicit the formation of high levels of antibody of restricted heterogeneity. All birds produced precipitating antibody after 3 weeks of immunization. The highest concentration was ∼8.6 mg/ml. After 6 weeks of immunization the highest level was ∼13 mg/ml and even after 6 weeks most birds had both IgM and IgY. Approximately 10% of specifically purified antibody preparations contained some IgA. In each case this was associated with the macroglobulin fraction of Sephadex G-200. Of the 37 different antibody preparations examined only ∼5% (two IgM preparations) showed a clear restriction in L chain heterogeneity. These data indicate that like rabbits and sharks, chickens can produce high levels of antibody to a group A streptococcal carbohydrate with some antibody preparations showing restricted heterogeneity.

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