Pasteurella multocida- and Pasteurella haemolytica-ghosts: new vaccine candidates
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Updated: Sep 20, 2026
Evaluation of Host-Pathogen Responses and Vaccine Efficacy in Mice
Published on: February 22, 2019
J Marchart1, G Dropmann, S Lechleitner
1Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Abstract:
Pasteurella multocida is an important animal pathogen. Bacterial ghosts produced by the expression of phage PhiX174 lysis gene E are empty cells devoid of cytoplasmic and genomic material. Lysis of P. multocida 7A and P. haemolytica A1 carrying Pasteurella-specific lysis vectors (pSR2 and pSON2) occurred 140 min after induction of gene E expression induced by temperature upshift. The E-mediated cell lysis and killing activity was the same in both Pasteurella species and no viable cells could be detected after lysis of P. multocida and P. haemolytica. Pasteurella ghosts were used for immunization of rabbits and mice. Rabbits immunized subcutaneously with either P. multocida- or P. haemolytica-ghosts developed antibodies reacting with the immunizating strain, as well as with other Pasteurella strains. The number of proteins in whole cell protein extracts recognized by the sera constantly increased during the observation period of 51 days. In addition, dose-dependent protection against homologous challenge was observed in mice immunized with P. multocida-ghosts. Animals which received 1.15 x 10(8) ghosts and a challenge dose of up to 60 cfu (LD90), showed 100% protection. According to these results, we suggest ghosts of P. multocida and P. haemolytica as new vaccine candidates.
Insights
Bacterial ghosts, empty bacterial cells, effectively lysed Pasteurella multocida and Pasteurella haemolytica. These Pasteurella ghosts show potential as novel vaccine candidates, inducing protective immunity in animal models.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Immunology
Background:
- Pasteurella multocida and Pasteurella haemolytica are significant animal pathogens.
- Bacterial ghosts are non-living bacterial cells produced via phage lysis gene expression, lacking cellular contents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of bacterial ghosts for lysis and potential vaccine development against Pasteurella species.
- To evaluate the immunogenicity and protective capabilities of Pasteurella ghosts.
Main Methods:
- Lysis of Pasteurella multocida and P. haemolytica using phage PhiX174 lysis gene E expression.
- Production of Pasteurella bacterial ghosts.
- Immunization of rabbits and mice with Pasteurella ghosts.
- Antibody response analysis and challenge studies in immunized mice.
Main Results:
- Successful lysis and elimination of viable Pasteurella multocida and P. haemolytica cells were achieved using gene E expression.
- Immunization with Pasteurella ghosts elicited antibodies against homologous and heterologous Pasteurella strains.
- Mice immunized with P. multocida ghosts demonstrated dose-dependent protection against homologous challenge, with 100% protection at specific doses.
Conclusions:
- Pasteurella bacterial ghosts are effective for lysing target bacteria.
- Pasteurella ghosts serve as promising vaccine candidates, inducing protective immunity against Pasteurella infections.
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