Utilization of Immunoglobulin Y (IgY) as Alternatives to Laboratory Animals in Human and Veterinary Medical Practice: A Review

Emerging infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance impose major threats to animals and humans throughout the world. The Emergence of various infectious and pandemic diseases alarms the need for prophylactic and therapeutic regimens in protecting both animals and humans. Hence, researchers are trying to identify newer methodologies to overcome the existing issues for better immune response and antibiotic resistance. In this view, chicken immunoglobulin Y (IgY) has gained momentum due to its role in prophylactic, therapeutic and diagnostic modalities with varying success rate. In an unpredictable and contagious COVID-19 like situations, the role of passive immunization through chicken immunoglobulin has turned to be important for controlling infectious disease transmission. This review focus on the immunoprophylactic and immunotherapeutic role of IgY in human and animal diseases and to explore the use of IgY for veterinary and human medicine.