[Composition and immunochemical properties of goat immunoglobulins against the Ebola virus]

Serum samples containing Ebola Virus neutralizing antibodies were prepared by prolonged immunization of goats with 10% liver homogenate from guinea pigs infected with Ebola virus. Differences in IgG fractions of normal and hyperimmune caprine blood sera were detected. Analytical chromatography on Polysil SA and immunodiffusion showed the presence of three IgG-containing fractions in hyperimmune sera. Immunochemical properties of these fractions were studied by solid-phase enzyme immunoassay and neutralization test. Antibodies to viral antigens were referred to IgG2 and IgG1a, and virus neutralizing properties were found mainly in IgG2 antibodies. Immunoglobulins were isolated from hyperimmune serum by alcohol sedimentation. The principal IgG fraction was found to contain much lower levels of antibodies to guinea pig liver antigens than intact serum, but at the same time it was characterized by a higher neutralization index.