Genetics ofCoxiella burnetii

Abstract

Those organisms considered to be obligate intracellular bacteria are interesting objects for genetic studies. Little is known about their mechanisms for natural genetic exchange. Many genes from the bacterium Coxiella burnetii, an obligate intraphagolysosomal pathogen, have therefore been cloned and characterized using the heterologous host Escherichia coli. Recently, use of electroporation methodology followed by long-term selection periods have provided initial data on genetic transformation in C. burnetii.

Engineering Protein Nanoparticles Functionalized with an Immunodominant Coxiella burnetii Antigen to Generate a Q Fever Vaccine

“…Proteomics and antigen-specific serological assays have identified the outer membrane protein CBU1910 as an immunodominant protein antigen of C. burnetii . − For this reason, CBU1910 was chosen as the antigen for this prophylactic vaccine formulation. Unlike cancers, which can utilize peptide neoantigens in a vaccine to produce the desired anti-epitope T cell responses, infectious disease vaccines typically require the use of whole protein antigens to elicit both antibody and T cell responses. , Protein antigens contain numerous immunogenic epitopes in native structural conformations, allowing for stronger antibody responses and broader adaptive immune responses. − Although immunogenic peptide epitopes of C. burnetii have been identified and characterized for their potential use in vaccine development, application of these peptides in vaccines has not yet shown significant efficacy. ,− More recently, vaccine formulations using C. burnetii protein antigens and triagonist adjuvants showed significant levels of protection for challenged animals, but to a lesser extent than the whole cell vaccine (which is not FDA approved) .…”