DETECTION OF MUCOSAL IMMUNE-RESPONSES IN CHICKENS AFTER IMMUNIZATION OR INFECTION

In order to measure mucosal antibody responses in the chicken intestin e an ELISA-based assay was developed that was able to detect antigen-s pecific antibodies in an isotype-specific way. Locally produced antibo dies could be detected after overnight culture at 37-degrees-C. In par ticular the production of IgA, more than IgM and IgG, was significantl y increased by immunization of the animals with K99 pilus antigen or b y infection with Eimeria tenella parasites. Data presented here indica te that the assay can be used to estimate the magnitude of the mucosal antibody response in experimental conditions where antibody levels in bile or intestinal contents were not significantly changed.