Veterinary Research Forum

In vitro synergistic efficacy of postbiotics and specific immunoglobulin Y antibodies against Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Mera Sharif 1
Naheed Mojgani 2
Nader Mosavari 2
Fattah Sotoodehnejad Nematalahi 1

1 Department of Biology, SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

2 Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agriculture Research, Education and Extension Organization, Karaj, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30466/vrf.2025.2053788.4668
Abstract
Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), the causative agent of Johne’s disease and a potential contributor to Crohn’s disease, presents a significant challenge due to its resistance to conventional antibiotics. This necessitates the development of innovative strategies for prevention and treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-bacterial activity of pathogen-specific antibodies derived from chicken egg yolks (immunoglobulin Y [IgY]) and the postbiotics from lactic acid bacteria against MAP. Immunoglobulin Y antibodies were produced by immunizing hens with formalin-killed MAP strain antigens. The IgY was extracted and purified, and the anti-MAP titers were quantified by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The minimum inhibitory concentration of different concentrations of specific anti-MAP IgY and the mixture of postbiotics (from four different probiotic strains, including Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Pediococcus acidilactici) individually and in combination against MAP was determined at various time intervals. Anti-MAP IgY titers in egg yolks increased within 2 weeks of immunization, reaching peak levels at 6 weeks. Growth inhibition assays revealed that postbiotics concentration as low as 6.25 mg mL-1 effectively inhibited MAP growth. Anti-MAP IgY demonstrated anti-bacterial activity with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 50.00 mg mL-1, while the combined IgY-posbiotics treatment achieved MAP growth inhibition at a minimum inhibitory concentration of 3.125 mg mL-1. The findings of the study suggest that combination therapy with specific IgY and postbiotics may be a promising preventive strategy for controlling MAP infections. Further in vivo studies are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and optimize the application of this approach for broader use in veterinary and human medicine.

Keywords

Immunoglobulin Y antibody
Indirect ELISA
Mycobacterium avium
Subsp. Paratuberculosis
Postbiotics
Subjects
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Veterinary Research Forum
Volume 17, Issue 4
April 2026
Pages 273-280

  • Receive Date 24 February 2025
  • Revise Date 10 May 2025
  • Accept Date 19 July 2025

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