The Use of Egg Yolk Anti-O157:H7 Immunoglobulin to Clear E. coli   O157:H7 from the Intestinal Tracts of Cattle

The research demonstrated that egg antibodies were an effective antibody production method. It also showed, unexpectedly, that chitosan, the carrier of the antibody, showed a statistically significant reduction in shedding E. coli O157:H7.

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Objectives

The objectives of the research was to evaluate the oral administration of avian anti-O157:H7 immunoglobulin to cattle in order to clear E. coli O157:H7 from the intestinal tract.

Conclusions

Results from this study confirm previous reports that the production of egg antibody is an effective antibody-production method that may be useful in control human pathogens in meat animals by passive immunity strategies.  An effective microbial target, immunogen, for antibody production must be known and in the case of E. coli O157:H7, antibodies to secreted proteins appeared to have some effect.  The administration of antibody to ruminants is complicated somewhat by the protein (antibody) degradation in the rumen and requires that a protective carrier deliver the antibody to the lower intestinal tract.  In our tests to use chitosan microparticles as a carrier for O157 antibodies, control animals were observed to have decreased shedding of E. coli O157:H7 and led to our crossover study to address the impact of chitosan feeding.  Chitosan had a statistically significant effect on E. coli O157:H7 shedding which is the major finding from this study.

Deliverable

The use of chitosan microparticles to carry O157 anitbodies in the animal rumen was effective and decreased E. coli O157:H7 shedding was observed.  The feeding of chitosan to cattle, also, impacted the shedding of E. coli O157:H7 and may be alternative intervention of controlling E. coli O157:H7 shedding in cattle.