Extracellular proteins of Clostridium chauvoei are protective in a mouse model

Abstract

The anaerobic bacillus Clostridium chauvoei is the causative agent of blackleg, a lethal disease that has an important impact on the sheep and cattle industry worldwide. Immunity to C. chauvoei is considered to be mainly anticellular, and for this reason there is scarce information about the immunogenicity of extracellular proteins. In this work variations in protein profiles, immune response by ELISA and protective capacity of culture supernatants of three C. chauvoei strains, collected at different growth phases, are reported. Sera raised against extracellular antigens also recognised cellular antigens of the same molecular masses. Partially purified cell-free supernatants and those concentrated 10 times by ultrafiltration (C-CFS), obtained at the early stationary phase of growth, induced a strong immunoprotective response, even at low doses, that was more marked for C. chauvoei strain ATCC 10092 (p ≤ 0.05). With C-CFS formulations, a clear relationship was observed between IgG titres, protective capacity and concentration of the antigen doses, indicating a specific immune response.

Development and evaluation of indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for the determination of immune response to multiple clostridial antigens in vaccinated captive bred southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum)

“…The individual iELI-SAs were specific to homologous reference antisera but some cross-reactivity were detected between C. chauvoei whole cells and phospholipase C antigens with the other antisera ( Table 4). The target antigens of C. chauvoei have been extensively evaluated by several researchers [24][25][26][27]. Immunity to C. chauvoei is generally associated with antibody to both the bacterium and its toxins, with protection predominantly depending on antibody to cell wall and flagellar antigens [28][29][30].…”

A review of cardiac blackleg in cattle, and report of 2 cases without skeletal muscle involvement in Argentina

“…2 The flagella of C. chauvoei provide motility to the bacteria and play an important role in virulence. 2,19,43,51 Various epitopes on the flagella generate protective immunity in mice 38,52 ; thus, the flagella antigens are valuable candidates for the development of vaccines against blackleg. 33,38,51,52…”

“…2,19,43,51 Various epitopes on the flagella generate protective immunity in mice 38,52 ; thus, the flagella antigens are valuable candidates for the development of vaccines against blackleg. 33,38,51,52…”

Vaccine Production to Protect Animals Against Pathogenic Clostridia

“…For a long time, it was believed that flagella were the main virulence factors associated with blackleg and studies using monoclonal antibodies of C. chauvoei flagellar proteins elicited protective immunity in mice [202,203]. However, the use of cell-free supernatant containing other extracellular antigens apart from flagella also conferred protection in a mouse model [204]. Additionally, animals vaccinated with recombinant CctA developed high immunity against C. chauvoei challenges, making this toxin a valuable candidate for the design of a toxoid vaccine against blackleg [193].…”