Generation and characterization of antibodies against Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) IgG, IgM, and IgA.

ABSTRACT: Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) immunity is poorly characterized and understood. This gap in knowledge is particularly concerning as Asian elephants are an endangered species threatened by a newly discovered herpesvirus known as elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV), which is the leading cause of death for captive Asian elephants born after 1980 in North America. While reliable diagnostic assays have been developed to detect EEHV DNA, serological assays to evaluate elephant anti-EEHV antibody responses are lacking and will be needed for surveillance and epidemiological studies and also for evaluating potential treatments or vaccines against lethal EEHV infection. Previous studies have shown that Asian elephants produce IgG in serum, but they failed to detect IgM and IgA, further ha

SUBMITTER: Humphreys AF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4320114 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature