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Barbosa MS, Sampaio BA, Spergser J, Rosengarten R, Marques LM, Chopra-Dewasthaly R. Mycoplasma agalactiae Vaccines: Current Status, Hurdles, and Opportunities Due to Advances in Pathogenicity Studies. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:156. [PMID: 38400139 PMCID: PMC10892753 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12020156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Contagious agalactia (CA) is a serious multietiological disease whose classic etiological agent is Mycoplasma agalactiae and which causes high morbidity and mortality rates in infected herds. CA is classified as a notifiable disease by the World Organization for Animal Health due to its significant worldwide economic impact on livestock, primarily involving goat and sheep farms. The emergence of atypical symptoms and strains of M. agalactiae in wildlife ungulates reestablishes its highly plastic genome and is also of great epidemiological significance. Antimicrobial therapy is the main form of control, although several factors, such as intrinsic antibiotic resistance and the selection of resistant strains, must be considered. Available vaccines are few and mostly inefficient. The virulence and pathogenicity mechanisms of M. agalactiae mainly rely on surface molecules that have direct contact with the host. Because of this, they are essential for the development of vaccines. This review highlights the currently available vaccines and their limitations and the development of new vaccine possibilities, especially considering the challenge of antigenic variation and dynamic genome in this microorganism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maysa Santos Barbosa
- Department of Biointeraction, Multidisciplinary Institute of Health, Federal University of Bahia, Vitoria da Conquista 45029-094, Brazil; (M.S.B.)
| | | | - Joachim Spergser
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Wien, Austria
| | - Renate Rosengarten
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Wien, Austria
| | - Lucas Miranda Marques
- Department of Biointeraction, Multidisciplinary Institute of Health, Federal University of Bahia, Vitoria da Conquista 45029-094, Brazil; (M.S.B.)
- Department of Microbiology, State University of Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilheus 45662-900, Brazil
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Rohini Chopra-Dewasthaly
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Wien, Austria
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Toquet M, Bataller E, Gomis J, Sánchez A, Toledo-Perona R, De la Fe C, Corrales JC, Gómez-Martín Á. Antibacterial potential of commercial and wild lactic acid bacteria strains isolated from ovine and caprine raw milk against Mycoplasma agalactiae. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1197701. [PMID: 37426075 PMCID: PMC10324661 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1197701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The complexity of fighting contagious agalactia (CA) has raised the necessity of alternative antimicrobial therapies, such as probiotics. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are present in the mammary gland of small ruminants and their antimicrobial effect have been previously described against species like Mycoplasma bovis but never against Mycoplasma agalactiae (Ma). This in vitro study aims to evaluate the antimicrobial activity against Ma of ovine and caprine LAB strains and a human commercial probiotic (L2) of Lactobacillus spp. Methods A total of 63 possible LAB strains were isolated from nine ovine and caprine farms in Spain, three isolates (33B, 248D, and 120B) from the 63 strains were selected, based on their capacity to grow in a specific medium in vitro, for an in vitro experiment to assess their antimicrobial activity against Ma in Ultra High Temperature (UHT) processed goat milk (GM). A women commercial vaginal probiotic was also included in the study. The inoculum of L2 was prepared at a concentration of 3.24 × 108 CFU/mL and the average concentration of the inoculum of the wild LAB varied from 7.9 × 107 to 8.4 × 108 CFU/mL. Results The commercial probiotic L2 significantly reduced the concentration of Ma to 0.000 log CFU/mL (p < 0.001), strain 33B reduced it from 7.185 to 1.279 log CFU/mL (p < 0.001), and 120B from 6.825 to 6.466 log CFU/mL (p < 0.05). Strain 248D presented a bacteriostatic effect in GM. Moreover, the three wild strains and the commercial probiotic produced a significative reduction of the pH (p < 0.001). Discussion This is the first in vivo report of the antimicrobial potential of LAB strains against Ma and its interaction. Our results support possible future alternative strategies to antibiotic therapy, previously not contemplated, to fight CA in small ruminants. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the action mechanisms through which these LAB are able to inhibit Ma and to assess the safety of using these strains in possible in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Toquet
- Microbiological Agents Associated With Animal Reproduction (ProVaginBIO) Research Group, Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
| | - Esther Bataller
- Microbiological Agents Associated With Animal Reproduction (ProVaginBIO) Research Group, Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
| | - Jesús Gomis
- Microbiological Agents Associated With Animal Reproduction (ProVaginBIO) Research Group, Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
| | - Antonio Sánchez
- Ruminant Health Research Group, Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Raquel Toledo-Perona
- Microbiological Agents Associated With Animal Reproduction (ProVaginBIO) Research Group, Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
| | - Christian De la Fe
- Ruminant Health Research Group, Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Corrales
- Ruminant Health Research Group, Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Ángel Gómez-Martín
- Microbiological Agents Associated With Animal Reproduction (ProVaginBIO) Research Group, Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
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Preliminary Study on the Host Response to Bivalent and Monovalent Autogenous Vaccines against Mycoplasma agalactiae in Dairy Sheep. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9120651. [PMID: 36548812 PMCID: PMC9785335 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9120651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In Italy, dairy sheep farming represents a vital agro-industry sector, but it is still challenged by contagious agalactia (CA), which is endemic there, and vaccination is the most economical and sustainable tool for control. This study aimed to evaluate the combined Mycoplasma agalactiae (Ma)-Staphylococcus aureus (Sa) vaccine (Ma-Sa) against the Ma monovalent vaccine in ewes. Twelve primiparous Ma-free ewes were randomly grouped into three equal groups: first, the control group injected with placebo, second, the group vaccinated with the Ma monovalent vaccine, and third, the group vaccinated with Ma-Sa combined vaccine, with two S/C doses at 45-day intervals. The animals were examined for serological, hematological, and somatic cell count (SCC) changes for 17 successive weeks. A significant increase in anti-Ma antibody mean titers, leukocytes, and platelets was observed in the vaccinated animals, with the highest values in those who received the combined vaccine. Neutrophils were high only in the animals who received the combined vaccine. SCC was lower in the vaccinated animals during the first six weeks. This study concludes that the combined Ma-Sa vaccines enhance immune response and potentiate its efficacy against Ma. This improvement might be attributed to the sensitization/activation effect of S. aureus on platelets, which are recoded to act as a key regulator for the coordination of all components of the innate immune system. Even though this study included a small number of animals, its findings about the potentialities of this inactivated vaccine in the control of CA are strongly encouraging. Further confirmation might be needed through additional replicates and a challenge study is needed before proceeding with widespread use.
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Identification of conserved Mycoplasma agalactiae surface antigens by immunoproteomics. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2021; 236:110239. [PMID: 33845295 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2021.110239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Contagious agalactia represents one of the most relevant infectious diseases of dairy sheep, with Mycoplasma agalactiae being the primary etiological agent. The early, sensitive, and specific identification of infected animals, as well as the development of efficient prophylactic tools, remain challenging. Here, we present a comprehensive characterization of M. agalactiae antigens focusing on those shared among different isolates. Leveraging on previous proteomic data obtained on individual strains, we adopted a strategy entailing sample pooling to optimize the identification of conserved proteins that induce an immune response. The liposoluble proteins from previously characterized field isolates and the type strain PG2T were enriched by Triton X-114 fractionation, pooled, analysed by one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) electrophoresis, and subjected to western immunoblotting against sheep sera collected during natural infection with M. agalactiae. Immunodominant antigens were identified by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Time-Of-Flight-Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). This combined immunoproteomic approach confirmed the role of several known immunogens, including P80, P48, and P40, and most variable surface proteins (Vpmas), and unveiled novel immunodominant, conserved antigens, including MAG_1000, MAG_2220, MAG_1980, phnD, MAG_4740, and MAG_2430. Genomic context, functional prediction, subcellular localization, and invariable expression of these proteins in all isolates suggest their possible involvement in bacterial pathogenicity and metabolism. Moreover, most of the identified antigens elicit a host humoral response since the early stages of infection, persisting for at least 270 days. The immunodominant, conserved antigen panel identified in this work supports the development of effective vaccines and diagnostic tools with higher sensitivity and specificity in all the natural infection stages.
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Jaÿ M, Tardy F. Contagious Agalactia In Sheep And Goats: Current Perspectives. VETERINARY MEDICINE (AUCKLAND, N.Z.) 2019; 10:229-247. [PMID: 31921613 PMCID: PMC6938181 DOI: 10.2147/vmrr.s201847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Contagious agalactia (CA) is a disease caused equally by four Mycoplasma species, in single or mixed infections. Clinical signs are multiple, including mastitis, arthritis, keratoconjunctivitis, pneumonia, and septicemia, non-specific, and expressed differently depending whether sheep or goats are affected, on causative mycoplasmas as well as type of husbandry. CA has been reported worldwide and its geographic distribution maps to that of small ruminant breeding areas. However, as current diagnostic tests are expensive and difficult to implement, it is certainly underdiagnosed and prevalence data are only available for a few countries. CA control relies on vaccines, chemotherapy and good herd management practices. It requires long-term commitment but is often unsuccessful, with frequent clinical relapses. The persistence of the etiological agents, despite their overall susceptibility to antimicrobials, comes from their genetic plasticity and capacity to escape the host immune response. The existence of asymptomatic carriers and the numerous sources of infections contribute to rapid spread of the disease and complicate the control and prevention efforts. Here we review all these aspects in order to highlight recent progress made and identify gaps in knowledge or tools needed for better disease management. Discussion also underlines the detrimental effect of contagious agalactia on small ruminant welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryne Jaÿ
- Université de Lyon, ANSES, Laboratoire de Lyon, VetAgro Sup, UMR Mycoplasmoses des Ruminants, Lyon69364, France
| | - Florence Tardy
- Université de Lyon, ANSES, Laboratoire de Lyon, VetAgro Sup, UMR Mycoplasmoses des Ruminants, Lyon69364, France
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Lacasta D, Ferrer L, Ramos J, González J, Ortín A, Fthenakis G. Vaccination schedules in small ruminant farms. Vet Microbiol 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2015.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Kumar A, Rahal A, Chakraborty S, Verma AK, Dhama K. Mycoplasma agalactiae, an Etiological Agent of Contagious Agalactia in Small Ruminants: A Review. Vet Med Int 2014; 2014:286752. [PMID: 25097796 PMCID: PMC4109668 DOI: 10.1155/2014/286752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2014] [Accepted: 05/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycoplasma agalactiae is one of the causal agents of classical contagious agalactia (CA), a serious, economically important but neglected enzootic disease of small ruminants. It occurs in many parts of the world and most notably in the Mediterranean Basin. Following the infection common complications are septicaemia, mastitis, arthritis, pleurisy, pneumonia, and keratoconjunctivitis. Primary or tentative diagnosis of the organism is based upon clinical signs. Various serological tests, namely, growth precipitation, immunofluorescence, complement fixation test, haemagglutination inhibition, agglutination, immunodiffusion, enzyme immunoassays, immunoelectrophoresis, blotting techniques, and others, are available. Molecular tools seem to be much more sensitive, specific, and faster and help to differentiate various strains. The real-time PCR, multiplex PCR, quantitative PCR, PCR-RFLP, MLST, and gene probes, complementary to segments of chromosomal DNA or 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA), have strengthened the diagnosis of M. agalactiae. Both live attenuated and adjuvant (alum precipitated or saponified) inactivated vaccines are available with greater use of inactivated ones due to lack of side effects. The present review discusses the etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical signs of contagious agalactia in small ruminants along with trends and advances in its diagnosis, treatment, vaccination, prevention, and control strategies that will help in countering this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Kumar
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Uttar Pradesh Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhayay Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidhyalaya Evum Go-Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura 281001, India
| | - Anu Rahal
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243122, India
| | - Sandip Chakraborty
- Animal Resources Development Department, Pt. Nehru Complex, Agartala 799006, India
| | - Amit Kumar Verma
- Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Uttar Pradesh Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhayay Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidhyalaya Evum Go-Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura 281001, India
| | - Kuldeep Dhama
- Division of Pathology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243122, India
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Gómez-Martín A, Amores J, Paterna A, De la Fe C. Contagious agalactia due to Mycoplasma spp. in small dairy ruminants: epidemiology and prospects for diagnosis and control. Vet J 2013; 198:48-56. [PMID: 23759248 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2012] [Revised: 04/18/2013] [Accepted: 04/21/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Contagious agalactia (CA) is a serious disease of small dairy ruminants that has a substantial economic impact on the goat and sheep milk industries. The main aetiological agent of the disease is Mycoplasma agalactiae, although other species, such as Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri, Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capricolum and Mycoplasma putrefaciens, are pathogenic in goats. There are two clinical-epidemiological states of CA in sheep and goats; herds and flocks may exhibit outbreaks of CA or may be chronically infected, the latter with a high incidence of subclinical mastitis and only occasional clinical cases. The complex epidemiology of CA is related to the genetic characteristics and mechanisms of molecular variation of the Mycoplasma spp. involved, along with presence of CA-mycoplasmas in wild ruminant species. In goats, the situation is particularly complex and asymptomatic carriers have been detected in chronically infected herds. The coexistence of other non-pathogenic mycoplasmas in the herd further complicates the diagnosis of CA and the design of efficient strategies to control the disease. Routes of infection, such as the venereal route, may be involved in the establishment of chronic infection in herds. Current challenges include the need for improved diagnostic methods for detection of chronic and subclinical infections and for the design of more efficient vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel Gómez-Martín
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Murcia, Spain
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Agnone A, La Manna MP, Loria GR, Puleio R, Villari S, Nicholas RAJ, Guggino G, Sireci G. Timing of activation of CD4+ memory cells as a possible marker to establish the efficacy of vaccines against contagious agalactia in sheep. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2012; 152:252-9. [PMID: 23333193 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2012.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2012] [Revised: 12/19/2012] [Accepted: 12/20/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Mycoplasma agalactiae is a major pathogen of sheep and goats in many areas of the world and particularly in Mediterranean countries. It causes contagious agalactia, an infectious disease primarily affecting mammary glands. Many vaccines against the pathogen are currently under development. The aim of the study was to investigate the involvement of T cell-mediated immunity during vaccination and challenge experiments against Mycoplasma agalactiae. A comparison of the antigen-specific expansion of interferon gamma positive T cell memory and naïve subsets was performed between vaccinated and non-vaccinated sheep to identify cellular subsets whose activation was different between protected and non-protected sheep. Data reported in this manuscript demonstrated that two out of the three vaccines used in this study protected sheep from the disease. In the protected groups CD4(+) memory interferon-γ(+) T cells underwent an early expansion (p<0.05 when compared to unprotected groups), whilst memory CD8(+) Interferon-γ(+) T cells increased in non-protected animals 7 days after infection (p<0.05). γδ(+) Interferon-γ(+) T cells reached peaks of expansion in infected and in two vaccinated groups thus indicating that these cells are not preferentially involved in protection or pathogenesis (p<0.05). Hereby we propose that the early activation of CD4(+) memory Interferon-γ(+) T cells could be considered as a marker of protection from the disease as well as a tool to establish vaccine efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Agnone
- Dipartimento di Biopatologia e Biotecnologie Mediche e Forensi, Università di Palermo, Corso Tukory 211, Palermo, Italy
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Amores J, Sánchez A, Gómez-Martín Á, Corrales JC, Contreras A, de la Fe C. Surveillance of Mycoplasma agalactiae and Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri in dairy goat herds. Small Rumin Res 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2011.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Herberts C, Melgert B, van der Laan JW, Faas M. New adjuvanted vaccines in pregnancy: what is known about their safety? Expert Rev Vaccines 2011; 9:1411-22. [PMID: 21105777 DOI: 10.1586/erv.10.133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The recent introduction of oil-in-water emulsions as adjuvants in several pandemic vaccines, such as the H1N1 vaccine, has challenged regulatory authorities to establish their safety in the general population, as well as in specific populations. Pregnant women were advised to be a target group for H1N1 vaccination owing to the risk of this group developing serious complications with this infection. However, the addition of adjuvants to the H1N1 vaccine has initiated a discussion on the safety of adjuvanted vaccines in this special population. Changes in the maternal immune system are essential for acceptance of the fetus and for development of the placenta. The potential effects on pregnancy of interfering with this uniquely adapted immune balance through the induction of proinflammatory reactions such as those induced by adjuvanted vaccines have only been studied rarely. Here, we review the available information and discuss how vaccination may interfere with pregnancy, fetal development and pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Herberts
- Centre for Biological Medicines and Medical Technology, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, PO Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
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Buonavoglia D, Greco G, Corrente M, Greco MF, D’Abramo M, Latronico F, Fasanella A, Decaro N. Long-term immunogenicity and protection against Mycoplasma agalactiae induced by an oil adjuvant vaccine in sheep. Res Vet Sci 2010; 88:16-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2009.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2008] [Revised: 06/25/2009] [Accepted: 07/15/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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