Whole-genome analysis ofLeptospira interrogansto identify potential vaccine candidates against leptospirosis

Abstract

Leptospirosis is an important global human and veterinary health problem. Humans can be infected by exposure to chronically infected animals and their environment. An important focus of the current leptospiral research is the identification of outer membrane proteins (OMPs). Due to their location, leptospiral OMPs are likely to be relevant in host-pathogen interactions, hence their potential ability to stimulate heterologous immunity. The existing whole-genome sequence of Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni offers a unique opportunity to search for cell surface proteins. Predicted genes encoding potential surface proteins were amplified from genomic DNA by PCR methodology and cloned into an Escherichia coli expression system. The partially purified recombinant proteins were probed by Western blotting with sera from human patients diagnosed with leptospirosis. Sixteen proteins, out of a hundred tested, were recognized by antibodies present in human sera. Four of these proteins were conserved among eight serovars of L. interrogans and absent in the non-pathogenic Leptospira biflexa. These proteins might be useful for the diagnosis of the disease as well as potential vaccine candidates.

Characterization of virulence of Leptospira isolates in a hamster model

“…This isolate was also the target of a multicenter initiative to sequence its genome [8]. Additionally, it has been used for studies on pathogenesis and leptospiral proteomics [20][21][26][27][32][33][34]. Serovar Copenhageni is the most common leptospiral isolate in Salvador and also in other urban areas of Brazil [10][11][35][36] and its low LD 50 demonstrates that it is a highly virulent pathogen for hamsters, which has been used in previous immunoprotection experiments [14].…”

Canine Leptospirosis, United States, 2002–2004

“…Canine vaccines are now available with serovars Grippotyphosa and Pomona as well as the traditional serovars Canicola and Icterohaemorrhagiae. This vaccine may confer some immunity to serovar Autumnalis, since some protein antigens are highly conserved among several pathogenic serovars ( 14 ). …”

Análisis Genómico de Mannheimia haemolytica Serotipo A2 para la Identificación de Potenciales Candidatos Vacunales contra la Neumonía en Alpacas

“…Para los efectos del presente estudio se seleccionaron moléculas asociadas a superficie y proteínas secretadas (con peptidos señal), ya que se ha demostrado que estas moléculas son potenciales dianas para inducir una fuerte respuesta inmune celular en el hospedero (Gamberini et al, 2005). Por el contrario, proteínas no superficiales, así como proteí-Figura 2.…”