The Role of Immunoglobulin in the Neutralization of Trachoma Infectivity

Abstract

Eye secretions and plasma from children with active trachoma have been shown to neutralize trachoma organisms. Various preparations of eye secretions were incubated with trachoma organisms and then assayed for infectivity by ocular infection in owl monkeys. Eye secretions with anti-trachoma antibody or immunoglobulin isolated from these eye secretions neutralized infective organisms. Negative controls (eye secretions with the immunoglobulin removed, normal eye secretions, or buffer) did not neutralize trachoma organisms. We conclude that the immunoglobulin fraction is responsible for this neutralization and that the neutralization is type-specific.