Harnessing the Potential of IgY: A Creative Approach for Immunodiagnosis and Immunotherapy Against Viral Diseases of Animals.

Abstract

Antibodies, apart from their irreplaceable role in immune defense, have been exploited as a successful diagnostic and therapeutic tool for many years. A major milestone was achieved in the late-twentieth century with the development of IgY technology, which introduced avian antibodies as an alternative to conventional mammalian antibodies. The distinctive structural features of IgY, coupled with ease of large-scale production, account for many advantages over mammalian IgG. Over the years, the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of IgY has been investigated across diverse applications in livestock, poultry, livestock, companion animals and humans, producing promising outcomes against a wide range of infectious diseases. Several IgY-based products are already available commercially, while many others remain under experimental development. Despite these advances, monoclonal IgY technology is still emerging and has not yet reached broad clinical application. The present review provides comprehensive insights into the production and applications of IgY antibodies, with particular emphasis on their role in combating viral diseases in animals.