Effects of immunoglobulin Y (IgY) serum against plaque bacteria

Dental caries is an infectious disease caused by plaque bacteria, especially Streptoccus mutans. Many studies were conducted to develop methods or material for dental caries prevention. It was using passive immunization that will produce specific antibodies. Yolk immunoglobulin (IgY) is antibody in the serum and egg yolk. This study aimed to determine the effect of IgY serum against the growth of dental plaque bacterial in vitro. In the long term, it is expected IgY specific S. mutans can be as one of material could prevent dental caries topically. Immunization in the chicken was performed using S. mutans antigen. Immunoglobulin Y (IgY) specific S. mutans was collected from blood serum of Hysex Brown chicken. Antibacterial effect of IgY serum on the growth of bacteria that cause dental plaque (Streptococcus alpha, Staphylococcus aureus, and S. mutans) was done using diffusion method. Sample was performed on 10 plate each bacteria. Data inhibition zone were analyzed using ANOVA and LSD. There was no inhibition zone of IgY serum on the growth of S. alpha and S. aureus while positive results obtained against S. mutans. Inhibition zone increased according increasing the concentration of IgY. ANOVA test showed significant differences the effect of concentration IgY serum on the inhibition zones of S. mutans (p <0.05). A significant difference (p<0.05) from the LSD was obtained in the comparison between the concentration of IgY, IgY serum and controls. In conclusion, IgY serum that immunized S. mutans has antibacterial effect against S. mutans only.   Key words: Yolk immunoglobulin (IgY), chicken serum, Streptococcus alpha, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans