Porcine pleuropneumonia caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae accounts for serious economic losses in the pig farming industry worldwide. We examined here the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of the recombinant type IV fimbrial subunit protein ApfA as a single antigen vaccine against pleuropneumonia, or as a component of a multi-antigen preparation comprising five other recombinant antigens derived from key virulence factors of A. pleuropneumoniae (ApxIA, ApxIIA, ApxIIIA, ApxIVA and TbpB). Immunization of pigs with recombinant ApfA alone induced high levels of specific serum antibodies and provided partial protection against challenge with the heterologous A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 9 strain. This protection was higher than that engendered by vaccination with rApxIVA or rTbpB alone and similar to that observed after immunization with the tri-antigen combination of rApxIA, rApxIIA and rApxIIIA. In addition, rApfA improved the vaccination potential of the penta-antigen mixture of rApxIA, rApxIIA, rApxIIIA, rApxIVA and rTbpB proteins, where the hexa-antigen vaccine containing rApfA conferred a high level of protection on pigs against the disease. Moreover, when rApfA was used for vaccination alone or in combination with other antigens, such immunization reduced the number of pigs colonized with the challenge strain. These results indicate that ApfA could be a valuable component of an efficient subunit vaccine for the prevention of porcine pleuropneumonia.

The protective efficacy of two Czech vaccines against bovine Trichophyton verrucosum infection after double vaccination of calves in prophylactic doses, with an interval of 13 days between vaccination and revaccination, was very good. When these preparations were applied in a double dose only once, less protective effect was produced. The use of 0.5% aluminium hydroxide to dilute the vaccines had no influence on the effect of single vaccination.

Rybnikar A., V. Vrzal, J. Chumela: Vaccination oj Young Calves against Trichophytosis. Acta vet. Brno, 62, 1993: 55-61. .• . Calves vaccinated against trichophytosis at 1 to 7 days of age and revaccinated 10 days later showed a satisfactory degree of protection against experimental infection . with a virulent strain of Trichephyton verrucosum. The same results were obtained after immunization of calves in groups of older animals (aged 8 to 42 days). All non-vaccinated controls given the same challenge dose showed extensive trichophYrlc crusts that persisted throughout the observation period. A field experiment with the same vaccine was conducted in a herd where 50% of the calves were affected with trichophytosis. New arrivals in the calf-house were vaccinated at 3 to 6 days of age and revaccinated 10 days later. Of 179 vaccinated animals, 4 (2.2%) developed trichophytosis.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) affects a significant number of women, especially in working age. In an estimated 75% of women an episode of acute vulvovaginal candidiasis occurs during lifetime and another 5 -10% of women develop recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC). This is mainly characterized by intense burning, itching, pain, abnormal discharge, dyspareunia. Immune response to candidiasis is both cellular (CMI) (natural protection mechanisms) and humoral (antibody production). Understanding the principles of immunity in candidiasis is also important for development of candida vaccines. CANDIVAC contains lyophilized Candida lysate (C. albicans, C. krusei, C. glabrata) together with immunostimulatory bacterial strain of Propionibacterium acnes. The product is taken orally in capsules for 10 days followed by a 20-day pause. It is administered for 3 to 6 months. The product has been tested in a total of 75 women at the age of 18 -45 years. In these women at least 4 episodes of vulvovaginal candidiasis have been microscopically or laboratory diagnosed during the last 12 months. Following CANDIVAC administration, statistically significant changes occurred in the evaluation of subjective and some objective criteria. The most important marker of product efficiency is a significant reduction in recurrence compared to the recent state. This criterion has a fundamental importance in patient satisfaction. Before medication the patients suffered from at least 4 attacks, while after medication an attack occurred in only 31% of women and more than 2 attacks in only 3% of treated women. Compromised balance of immune system plays a major role in recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. Specific oral product CANDIVAC, prepared from the most common strains of yeast infections, supports immune mechanisms, ensuring resistance of the human organism against yeasts. Its administration significantly prolongs remission, leads to a reduction in application of antimycotics and also changes properties of cellular and humoral immunity in medicated patients.

Summary. Protective properties of a live, freeze‐dried vaccine against ringworm, produced by Bioveta, Ivanovice na Hané, Czechoslovakia, were tested in a group of 422 calves. Vaccinated and control calves were challenged by epicutane‐ous inoculation of a virulent culture of Trichophy‐ton verrucosum. Between 4.4 and 9.5% of calves challenged between days 14 and 25 after re‐vaccination showed only mild clinical signs of ringworm and 99–100% were fully protected from day 28, the immunity persisting for at least one year. All control calves showed signs of ringworm after challenge. In most cases, extensive mycotic lesions, also penetrating into deep skin layers, were observed. Protective properties of the Czechoslovak vaccine and a USSR vaccine were high and comparable. Zusammenfassung. An 422 Kälbern wurde der protektive Wert einer lyophilisierten Lebend‐vakzine gegen Rinder‐Trichophytie geprüft (Hersteller: Bioveta, Ivanovice na Hané, Tsche‐choslowakei). Sowohl die vakzinierten Kälber wie auch die Kontrollgruppe wurden danach mit einem virulenten Trichophyton verrucosum‐Stamm epikutan inokuliert. Sämtliche Kontrollkälber erkrankten an Kälberflechte; in den meisten Fällen wurden dabei deutliche mykotische Läsionen beobachtet, die auch bis in tiefere Hautschichten reichten. In der geimpften Gruppe zeigten 4.4–9.5% der Kälber bei Infektion 14 und 25 d nach Revakzination nur milde klinische Kälber‐flechten‐Symptome; bei Infektion 28 d nach Revakzination waren 99–100% der Tiere voll‐kommen geschützt. Der durch die tschechoslowa‐kische Vakzine bedingte Immunschutz war hochgradig, hielt mindestens ein Jahr vor und erwies sich als dem mit einer USSR‐Vakzine erreichbaren vergleichbar.

Seven monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were derived from mice immunized with the rabies virus glycoprotein of the Pitman-Moore (PM) strain. These antibodies recognized at least five partially overlapping sites located in one immunodominant region. A panel of MAbs was then used to characterize antigenic relationship between PM strain and SAD-Vnukovo strain of these rabies viruses. In immunoblot, all tested antibodies bound to the glycoprotein of both rabies strains, indicating shared antigenic determinants located on the corresponding immunodominant regions. The pattern of reactivity in immunoblot suggested the specificity of antibodies against linear epitopes. However, the supposed close antigenic relation between PM and SAD-Vnukovo strains (evidenced by immunoblot) was not fully confirmed by immunoenzymatic assay. Data provided by ELISA demonstrated two distinct patterns of MAbs reactivity with both antigens. Four antibodies showed specificity for PM strain glycoprotein only, while three MAbs bound with both PM and SAD-Vnukovo strain antigens. We supposed the strain-specific conformation of the native glycoprotein to be responsible for selective access of single MAbs to the respective common linear epitopes.

The aim of this work was isolation and purification of the major immunodominant protein, Outer surface protein C (OspC) of three members of the species group Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease. Our aim was to obtain this protein in a quantity and purity sufficient for immunization of experimental animals. For optimalization of protein purification's yield we used immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) under different conditions. The greatest efficiency was achieved by using of HiTrap Chelating Column under native conditions.

Based on a WHO recommendation, residual pathogenicity of the Bio-10-SAD Bern rabies virus strain (component of the Lysvulpen por. ad us. vet. vaccine) was tested on rhesus macaque monkeys. Each of the ten monkeys, females, two years old, was administered orally 2 ml × 10 9 TCID 50 of the Bio-10-SAD Bern rabies strain. The animals were monitored for 90 days. Subsequently, the animals were sacrificed and their brains were examined for presence of the vaccination rabies virus by the immunofluorescence and PCR methods. The occurrence of anti-rabies antibodies prior to and following administration of the vaccination rabies virus was also evaluated. No clinical signs of rabies were observed nor did any of the animals die of rabies following application of the virus. No rabies was detected in the study animals by post mortem examination. All of the 10 animals developed anti-rabies antibodies during the 90 days following administration of the rabies virus. It can be concluded, that Bio-10-SAD Bern virus administered at a dose equal to the tenfold maximum dose specified for field uses is safe to monkeys of the rhesus macaque species. This study is the first of its type performed in rhesus macaque monkey species.