IDENTIFICATION AND PURIFICATION OF ARMADILLO (DASYPUS-NOVEMCINCTUS) IMMUNOGLOBULINS - PREPARATION OF SPECIFIC ANTISERA TO EVALUATE THE IMMUNE-RESPONSE IN THESE ANIMALS

In this work we describe the purification and characterization of arma dillo immunoglobulins. The IgM was precipitated using low-strength ion ic solution and further purified by filtration through Sephadex G-200. The IgG was obtained in pure form by precipitation of serum with ammo nium sulfate and DEAE-cellulose ion exchange chromatography. The purit y of these immunoglobulins was evaluated by polyacrylamide gel electro phoresis. The results showed 28-kDa light chains and 55-kDa and 70-kDa heavy chains for IgG and IgM, respectively. The rabbit antibodies aga inst these molecules were used to prepare fluorescein (FITC) and perox idase conjugates. The FITC conjugate was used to quantify IgM-bearing lymphocytes. An average of 17% of peripheral blood lymphocytes were sI gM + from 14 healthy animals. Additionally, in the same animals we qua ntified lymphocytes with the capacity to form rosettes with sheep red- blood cells; the average for this marker was 10%. Also, the production of crossreacting antibodies to BCG was evaluated in healthy and Mycob acterium leprae-inoculated animals using the peroxidase conjugates. Al l animals with active infection recognized BCG antigens.