Development of an IgY-based rocket-immunoelectrophoresis for identity monitoring of Pertussis vaccines

An important step in vaccine production and quality control is the analysis of identity of different lots. For that purpose chicken was immunized with acellular Pertussis components (Pertussis toxoid, Filamenteous haemagglutinin, Pertactin, Fimbriae 2/3 antigen). The resulting antibodies (IgY) were non-invasive extracted from egg yolk and used for rocket immunoelectrophoresis (RIE). We demonstrated that the Ab reacted with characteristic peaks (“rockets”) with the corresponding antigen. The shape of the peaks varied depending on the manufacturer and the nature of antigen (adsorbed or non-adsorbed). The coefficients of variation was about 20% during a year period. In summary, our data illustrate that an IgY-based RIE is not only a cost-effective method but also proficient for monitoring Pertussis vaccines.

Research highlights► IgY technology for antibodies against acellular pertussis vaccine components. ► Individual IgY concentrations follow a significant circaseptan biorhythm. ► Discussion of specificity, stability, and CVs of IgY based immunoelectrophoresis. ► IgY based RIE is suited to characterise acellular Pertussis vaccine components. ► Identity tests for vaccine components fulfil requirements of EN/ISO 17025.