Research shows that egg-derived antibodies can be effective in controlling a variety of viruses and bacteria.
Egg-Derived Antibody Research:
Respiratory Disease Prevention
Egg-derived antibodies that specifically bind to respiratory viruses (e.g., flu or COVID-19 virus) have been developed by researchers across the globe.¹
These antibodies can be used nasally or orally to block viral entry into the respiratory tract.²⁻³
During the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers at Stanford University and the University of Technology Sydney collaborated to develop egg-derived antibodies as a nasal spray for COVID-19 prevention. Through lab assays, they showed that the antibodies were able to bind equally effectively to different variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. They also completed a Phase 1 clinical trial proving that the antibodies had excellent safety in humans.⁴
Since they are very stable and can be formulated against different pathogens, egg-derived antibodies are a promising way to control current and future pandemics.⁵⁻⁶
References:
1. Lee, L. et al. "Immunoglobulin Y for potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications in infectious diseases." Frontiers in Immunology 2021.
2. Wallach, M.G. et al. "Cross-protection of chicken immunoglobulin Y antibodies against H5N1 and H1N1 viruses passively administered in mice." Clinical and Vaccine Immunology 2011.
3. Shen, H. et al. "Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgY isolated from egg yolks of hens immunized with inactivated SARS-CoV-2 for immunoprophylaxis of COVID-19." Virologica Sinica 2021.
4. Frumkin, L.R. et al. "Egg-derived anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunogloublin Y (IgY) with broad variant activity as intranasal prophylaxis against COVID-19." Frontiers in Immunology 2022.
5. Frumkin, L.R. et al. "COVID-19 prophylaxis with immunoglobulin Y (IgY) for the world population: The critical role that governments and non-governmental organizations can play." Journal of Global Health 2022.
6. Wallach, M.G. "Opinion: the use of chicken IgY in the control of pandemics." Frontiers in Immunology 2022.
Image by NIAID, CC BY 2.0
Treatment of Gut Bacterial Infections
Egg-derived antibodies have been extensively studied for combating a wide range of bacterial infections, including H. pylori, E. coli, C. difficile, and S. aureus.¹
H. pylori infection affects half of the human population, and it is the most common cause of gastritis, gastric ulcers, and gastric cancer.²⁻³ In fact, it is the most common infectious agent that causes cancer globally.⁴ The most common treatment for H. pylori is antibiotics, but this cannot be applied on a widespread scale due to mounting drug resistance. H. pylori is currently left untreated in most asymptomatic individuals.⁵
Egg-derived antibodies specific to H. pylori antigens are a promising alternative to antibiotic therapy. In one clinical study, yogurt with egg-derived antibodies against H. pylori urease suppressed H. pylori infection with no side effects.⁶ Similarly, egg yolk powders with H. pylori urease-specific antibodies were found to reduce H. pylori levels and aid the treatment of gastritis.⁷
Egg-derived antibodies against other bacteria such as Salmonella, C. difficile, E. coli, C. jejuni, and S. aureus have also been developed. For example, egg-derived anti-C. difficile antibodies have been shown to prevent recurrent C. difficile infections and enhance survival rates in hamsters.⁸⁻⁹ In another study, egg-derived Salmonella-specific antibodies taken orally reduced Salmonella colonization in young chicks.¹⁰ In yet another case, egg-derived antibodies specific to E. coli, taken orally in microcapsules, reduced the severity of diarrhea in piglets.¹¹ These studies, among dozens of others, support the promise of egg-derived antibodies in preventing and treating a variety of bacterial infections.
References:
1. Lee, L. et al. "Immunoglobulin Y for potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications in infectious diseases." Frontiers in Immunology 2021.
2. Zhang, L. et al. "Potential therapeutic effects of egg yolk antibody (IgY) in Helicobacter pylori infections — A review." Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 2021.
3. MD Anderson Cancer Center. "H. pylori and your stomach cancer risk." 2021.
4. Parkin, D.M. "The global health burden of infection-associated cancers in the year 2002." International Journal of Cancer 2006.
5. Cleveland Clinic. "H. pylori infection." 2021.
6. Horie, K. et al. "Suppressive effect of functional drinking yogurt containing specific egg yolk immunoglobulin on Helicobacter pylori in humans." Journal of Dairy Science 2004.
7. Suzuki, H. et al. "Effect of dietary anti-Helicobacter pylori-urease immunoglobulin Y on Helicobacter pylori infection." Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics 2004.
8. Mulvey, G.L. et al. "Therapeutic potential of egg yolk antibodies for treating Clostridium difficile infection." Journal of Medical Microbiology 2011.
9. Kink, J.A. and Williams, J.A. "Antibodies to recombinant Clostridium difficile toxins A and B are an effective treatment and prevent relapse of C. difficile-associated disease in a hamster model of infection." Infection and Immunity 1998.
10. Rahimi, S. et al. "Prevention of Salmonella infection in poultry by specific egg-derived antibody." International Journal of Poultry Science 2007.
11. Wang, Z. et al. "Protective effect of chicken egg yolk immunoglobulins (IgY) against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88 adhesion in weaned piglets." BMC Veterinary Research 2019.