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Published on: April 14, 2011
Immunizing mice using different combination antigens of the PI-2a fimbria subunit of Streptococcus agalactiae
J L Wang1, R E Bu2,3,4, J H Wu2,3,4
1Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Biotechnology, Shandong Binzhou Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine Academy, Binzhou, 256600, China.
Background:
Streptococcus agalactiae is the main causal pathogen of bovine mastitis (BM), causing considerable economic loss to the dairy industry worldwide. Vaccines against S . agalactiae play an important role in preventing disease.
Aims:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunoprotection of S. agalactiae pilus island fusion proteins, ancillary protein 1-ancillary protein 2 (AP1-AP2), ancillary protein 1-bone protein (AP1-BP), bone protein-ancillary protein 2 (BP-AP2), and ancillary protein 1-bone protein-ancillary protein 2 (AP1-BP-AP2) in Balb/c mice.
Methods:
Four kinds of fusion antigens and the same volume of Freund's complete adjuvant were mixed vigorously to prepare fusion antigen immuno-samples. The mice were immunized 4 times (on the 0th, 7th, 14th, and 28th days) with these samples with an immunizing dose of 50 g/mouse. After the 4th immunization, serology tests were used to evaluate the antibody. The antibody titre produced by AP1-BP-AP2 fusion antigen was the highest, at up to 1:25600. The mice were then injected with 0.5 ml of 2 × 104 CFU/ml clinically isolated S. agalactiae at day 50 and observed daily for the following 7 days.
Results:
Statistical analyses showed that these 4 kinds of fusion antigens had good protective immunity. Among them, AP1-BP-AP2 fusion antigen had the best protective immunity in Balb/c mice, with an immune protection index (PI) of 80%. Conclusion: This research provides a reliable theoretical basis for screening candidate antigens of the subunit vaccine and detecting antigen preparations of S. agalactiae.

