Immunological properties of the chicken egg yolk (IgY) antibodies against Vietnamese cobra Naja Naja venom

Abstract

Venomous snake bite is common poisonous accident and important medical problem around the world. The snake anti-venom is only type-specific protection to each venom type that was used to immunize. In this study, the chicken egg yolk (IgY) antibodies against the Vietnamese cobra Naja Naja venom was developed and evaluated in in-vitro (ELISA and SDS-PAGE) and in-vivo (hen and mice immunization). In particularly, the LD50 of the Vietnamese cobra Naja Naja venom was determined at 1.46 g kg−1 body weight of the Swiss mice. The ISA Brown layers of 16 to 18-week-old were immunized intramuscularly with the Vietnamese cobra Naja Naja venom at 0.5 mg kg−1 body weight of the layers. The specific anti-venom antibodies were presented in both serum and egg yolk at 14 days, reached to highest antibody titer at 49 to 56 days and lasted up to 111 days post-immunization. The IgY antibodies purified from the egg yolk revealed potential neutralization and protection of Vero cells and Swiss mice from toxicity of the Vietnamese cobra Naja Naja venom. To the best of our knowledge, this study result is the first cobra snake anti-venom developed in laying hens against the Vietnamese cobra Naja Naja venom. Further study is needed to whether this specific IgY anti-venom antibodies can be used as an antibody therapy for treatment of venomous snake bites in the future.