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Cardoso TL, de Freitas SB, Seixas Neto ACP, Balassiano IT, Hartwig DD. Advancing serologic diagnosis: assessing the efficacy of rErpY-like protein in human leptospirosis detection. Braz J Microbiol 2024:10.1007/s42770-024-01364-4. [PMID: 38805148 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-024-01364-4] [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: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a globally distributed infectious disease caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the Leptospira genus, often overlooked. It is estimated that the disease affects approximately one million people annually, resulting in more than 58,900 deaths. The gold standard for serodiagnosis of leptospirosis is the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT). However, the limitations of this technique necessitate the exploration of alternative diagnostic methods. In this study, we evaluated the ErpY-like recombinant protein (rErpY-like) in the development of a serologic diagnostic assay for human leptospirosis. Eighty-six human sera samples, characterized by MAT, underwent evaluation through indirect IgM-ELISA and IgG-ELISA. The sensitivity and specificity values obtained from IgM-ELISA were 60% and 76%, respectively, while those from IgG-ELISA were 96.4% and 100%, respectively. The use of the rErpY-like protein in both IgM-ELISA and IgG-ELISA proves to be a sensitive and specific method for antibody detection. This could potentially serve as a valuable alternative tool in the diagnosis of human leptospirosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thayná Laner Cardoso
- Laboratory of Bacteriology and Bioassays, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Stella Buchhorn de Freitas
- Laboratory of Bacteriology and Bioassays, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Amilton Clair Pinto Seixas Neto
- Laboratory of Bacteriology and Bioassays, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Ilana Teruszkin Balassiano
- Bacterial Zoonoses Laboratory, Leptospirosis National Reference Center/Leptospira Collection, WHO/PAHO Collaborating Center for Leptospirosis, Department of Bacteriology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daiane Drawanz Hartwig
- Laboratory of Bacteriology and Bioassays, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
- Federal University of Pelotas, University Campus, Pelotas, RS, CEP 96010-900, Brazil.
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Bunde TT, de Oliveira NR, Santos FDS, Pedra ACK, Maia MAC, Dellagostin OA, Oliveira Bohn TL. Characterization of cellular immune response in hamsters immunized with recombinant vaccines against leptospirosis based on LipL32:LemA:LigAni chimeric protein. Microb Pathog 2023; 184:106378. [PMID: 37802158 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
In the last 20 years, various research groups have endeavored to develop recombinant vaccines against leptospirosis to overcome the limitations of commercially available bacterins. Numerous antigens and vaccine formulations have been tested thus far. However, the analysis of cellular response in these vaccine formulations is not commonly conducted, primarily due to the scarcity of supplies and kits for the hamster animal model. Our research group has already tested the Q1 antigen, a chimeric protein combining the immunogenic regions of LipL32, LemA, and LigANI, in recombinant subunit and BCG-vectored vaccines. In both strategies, 100 % of the hamsters were protected against clinical signs of leptospirosis. However, only the recombinant BCG-vectored vaccine provided protection against renal colonization. Thus, the objective of this study is to characterize the cellular immune response in hamsters immunized with different vaccine formulations based on the Q1 antigen through transcriptional analysis of cytokines. The hamsters were allocated into groups and vaccinated as follows: recombinant subunit (rQ1), recombinant BCG (rBCG:Q1), and saline and BCG Pasteur control vaccines. To assess the cellular response induced by the vaccines, we cultured and stimulated splenocytes, followed by RNA extraction from the cells and analysis of cytokines using real-time PCR. The results revealed that the recombinant subunit vaccine elicited a Th2-type response, characterized by the expression of cytokines IL-10, IL-1α, and TNF-α. This pattern closely resembles the cytokines expressed in severe cases of leptospirosis. On the other hand, the rBCG-vectored vaccine induced a Th1-type response with significant up-regulation of IFN-γ. These findings suggest the involvement of the cellular response and the IFN-γ mediated inflammatory response in the sterilizing immunity mediated by rBCG. Therefore, this study may assist future investigations in characterizing the cellular response in hamsters, aiming to elucidate the mechanisms of efficacy and establish potential correlates of protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany Thurow Bunde
- Laboratório de Vacinologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Natasha Rodrigues de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Vacinologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Francisco Denis Souza Santos
- Laboratório de Vacinologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Kurz Pedra
- Laboratório de Vacinologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Mara Andrade Colares Maia
- Laboratório de Vacinologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Odir Antônio Dellagostin
- Laboratório de Vacinologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Thaís Larré Oliveira Bohn
- Laboratório de Vacinologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
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Montero DA, Garcia-Betancourt R, Vidal RM, Velasco J, Palacios PA, Schneider D, Vega C, Gómez L, Montecinos H, Soto-Shara R, Oñate Á, Carreño LJ. A chimeric protein-based vaccine elicits a strong IgG antibody response and confers partial protection against Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in mice. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1186368. [PMID: 37575242 PMCID: PMC10413102 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1186368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a foodborne pathogen that causes gastrointestinal infections, ranging from acute diarrhea and dysentery to life-threatening diseases such as Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. Currently, a vaccine to prevent STEC infection is an unmet medical need. Results We developed a chimeric protein-based vaccine targeting seven virulence factors of STEC, including the Stx2B subunit, Tir, Intimin, EspA, Cah, OmpT, and AggA proteins. Immunization of mice with this vaccine candidate elicited significant humoral and cellular immune responses against STEC. High levels of specific IgG antibodies were found in the serum and feces of immunized mice. However, specific IgA antibodies were not detected in either serum or feces. Furthermore, a significantly higher percentage of antigen-specific CD4+ T cells producing IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-17 was observed in the spleens of immunized mice. Notably, the immunized mice showed decreased shedding of STEC O157:H7 and STEC O91:H21 strains and were protected against weight loss during experimental infection. Additionally, infection with the STEC O91:H21 strain resulted in kidney damage in control unimmunized mice; however, the extent of damage was slightly lower in immunized mice. Our findings suggest that IgG antibodies induced by this vaccine candidate may have a role in inhibiting bacterial adhesion and complement-mediated killing. Conclusion This study provides evidence that IgG responses are involved in the host defense against STEC. However, our results do not rule out that other classes of antibodies also participate in the protection against this pathogen. Additional work is needed to improve the protection conferred by our vaccine candidate and to elucidate the relevant immune responses that lead to complete protection against this pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A. Montero
- Programa de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Richard Garcia-Betancourt
- Programa de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Roberto M. Vidal
- Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Programa de Microbiología y Micología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juliana Velasco
- Unidad de Paciente Crítico, Clínica Hospital del Profesor, Santiago, Chile
- Programa de Formación de Especialista en Medicina de Urgencia, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo A. Palacios
- Programa de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniela Schneider
- Programa de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carolina Vega
- Plataforma Experimental, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Leonardo Gómez
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Hernán Montecinos
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Rodrigo Soto-Shara
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Ángel Oñate
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Leandro J. Carreño
- Programa de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Maia MAC, Bettin EB, Barbosa LN, de Oliveira NR, Bunde TT, Pedra ACK, Rosa GA, da Rosa EEB, Seixas Neto ACP, Grassmann AA, McFadden J, Dellagostin OA, McBride AJA. Challenges for the development of a universal vaccine against leptospirosis revealed by the evaluation of 22 vaccine candidates. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:940966. [PMID: 36275031 PMCID: PMC9586249 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.940966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a neglected disease of man and animals that affects nearly half a million people annually and causes considerable economic losses. Current human vaccines are inactivated whole-cell preparations (bacterins) of Leptospira spp. that provide strong homologous protection yet fail to induce a cross-protective immune response. Yearly boosters are required, and serious side-effects are frequently reported so the vaccine is licensed for use in humans in only a handful of countries. Novel universal vaccines require identification of conserved surface-exposed epitopes of leptospiral antigens. Outer membrane β-barrel proteins (βb-OMPs) meet these requirements and have been successfully used as vaccines for other diseases. We report the evaluation of 22 constructs containing protein fragments from 33 leptospiral βb-OMPs, previously identified by reverse and structural vaccinology and cell-surface immunoprecipitation. Three-dimensional structures for each leptospiral βb-OMP were predicted by I-TASSER. The surface-exposed epitopes were predicted using NetMHCII 2.2 and BepiPred 2.0. Recombinant constructs containing regions from one or more βb-OMPs were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. IMAC-purified recombinant proteins were adsorbed to an aluminium hydroxide adjuvant to produce the vaccine formulations. Hamsters (4-6 weeks old) were vaccinated with 2 doses containing 50 – 125 μg of recombinant protein, with a 14-day interval between doses. Immunoprotection was evaluated in the hamster model of leptospirosis against a homologous challenge (10 – 20× ED50) with L. interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae serovar Copenhageni strain Fiocruz L1-130. Of the vaccine formulations, 20/22 were immunogenic and induced significant humoral immune responses (IgG) prior to challenge. Four constructs induced significant protection (100%, P < 0.001) and sterilizing immunity in two independent experiments, however, this was not reproducible in subsequent evaluations (0 – 33.3% protection, P > 0.05). The lack of reproducibility seen in these challenge experiments and in other reports in the literature, together with the lack of immune correlates and commercially available reagents to characterize the immune response, suggest that the hamster may not be the ideal model for evaluation of leptospirosis vaccines and highlight the need for evaluation of alternative models, such as the mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara A. C. Maia
- Biotechnology Unit, Technological Development Centre, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Everton B. Bettin
- Biotechnology Unit, Technological Development Centre, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Liana N. Barbosa
- Biotechnology Unit, Technological Development Centre, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Natasha R. de Oliveira
- Biotechnology Unit, Technological Development Centre, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Tiffany T. Bunde
- Biotechnology Unit, Technological Development Centre, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina K. Pedra
- Biotechnology Unit, Technological Development Centre, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Guilherme A. Rosa
- Biotechnology Unit, Technological Development Centre, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Elias E. B. da Rosa
- Biotechnology Unit, Technological Development Centre, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Amilton C. P. Seixas Neto
- Biotechnology Unit, Technological Development Centre, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - André A. Grassmann
- Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Johnjoe McFadden
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Odir A. Dellagostin
- Biotechnology Unit, Technological Development Centre, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Alan J. A. McBride
- Biotechnology Unit, Technological Development Centre, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Alan J. A. McBride,
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5
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AboulFotouh K, Uno N, Xu H, Moon C, Sahakijpijarn S, Christensen DJ, Davenport GJ, Cano C, Ross TM, Williams Iii RO, Cui Z. Formulation of dry powders of vaccines containing MF59 or AddaVax by Thin-Film Freeze-Drying: Towards a dry powder universal flu vaccine. Int J Pharm 2022; 624:122021. [PMID: 35842082 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
MF59® is an oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsion-based vaccine adjuvant that is often used in seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines. We explored the feasibility of developing dry powders of vaccines adjuvanted with MF59 or AddaVax™, a preclinical grade equivalent of MF59 with the same composition and droplet size as MF59, by thin-film freeze-drying (TFFD). Liquid AddaVax alone was successfully converted to a dry powder by TFFD using trehalose as a stabilizing agent while maintaining the droplet size distribution of AddaVax after it was reconstituted. TFFD was then applied to convert liquid AddaVax-adjuvanted vaccines containing either a model antigen (e.g., ovalbumin) or mono-, bi-, and tri-valent recombinant hemagglutinin (rHA) protein-based H1 and/or H3 (universal) influenza vaccine candidates, as well as the MF59-containing Fluad® Quadrivalent influenza vaccine to dry powders. Both antigens and stabilizing agents affected the physical properties of the vaccines (e.g., mean particle size and particle size distribution) after the vaccines were subjected to TFFD. Importantly, the integrity and hemagglutination activity of the rHA antigens did not significantly change and the immunogenicity of reconstituted influenza vaccine candidates was maintained when evaluated in a mouse model. The vaccine dry powder was not sensitive to repeated freezing-and-thawing, in contrast to its liquid counterpart. It is concluded that TFFD can be applied to convert liquid vaccines containing MF59 or AddaVax to dry powders while maintaining the immunogenicity of the vaccines. Ultimately, TFFD technology may be used to prepare dry powders of multivalent universal influenza vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled AboulFotouh
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, Egypt
| | - Naoko Uno
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30605, USA
| | - Haiyue Xu
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Chaeho Moon
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Sawittree Sahakijpijarn
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | | | | | - Chris Cano
- TFF Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Ted M Ross
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30605, USA; Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - Robert O Williams Iii
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
| | - Zhengrong Cui
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
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de Oliveira NR, Oliveira TL, Jorge S, Dellagostin OA. Development of Human Recombinant Leptospirosis Vaccines. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2410:325-344. [PMID: 34914055 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1884-4_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease with significant impact on health all over the world. Currently, bacterins are the only vaccines available for prevention of this disease, despite several drawbacks. In an effort to develop a more effective vaccine against leptospirosis, reverse and structural vaccinology have been applied to design recombinant constructions composed of leptospiral surface-exposed antigens. Herein, we describe a protocol for design and development of Leptospirosis recombinant vaccines using immunoinformatic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Rodrigues de Oliveira
- Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Campus Universitário s/n, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Thaís Larré Oliveira
- Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Campus Universitário s/n, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Sérgio Jorge
- Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Campus Universitário s/n, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Odir Antônio Dellagostin
- Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Campus Universitário s/n, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
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Anti-Leptospira immunoglobulin profiling in mice reveals strain specific IgG and persistent IgM responses associated with virulence and renal colonization. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0008970. [PMID: 33705392 PMCID: PMC8007020 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospira interrogans is a pathogenic spirochete responsible for leptospirosis, a neglected, zoonotic reemerging disease. Humans are sensitive hosts and may develop severe disease. Some animal species, such as rats and mice can become asymptomatic renal carriers. More than 350 leptospiral serovars have been identified, classified on the basis of the antibody response directed against the lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Similarly to whole inactivated bacteria used as human vaccines, this response is believed to confer only short-term, serogroup-specific protection. The immune response of hosts against leptospires has not been thoroughly studied, which complicates the testing of vaccine candidates. In this work, we studied the immunoglobulin (Ig) profiles in mice infected with L. interrogans over time to determine whether this humoral response confers long-term protection after homologous challenge six months post-infection. Groups of mice were injected intraperitoneally with 2×107 leptospires of one of three pathogenic serovars (Manilae, Copenhageni or Icterohaemorrhagiae), attenuated mutants or heat-killed bacteria. Leptospira-specific immunoglobulin (IgA, IgM, IgG and 4 subclasses) produced in the first weeks up to 6 months post-infection were measured by ELISA. Strikingly, we found sustained high levels of IgM in mice infected with the pathogenic Manilae and Copenhageni strains, both colonizing the kidney. In contrast, the Icterohaemorrhagiae strain did not lead to kidney colonization, even at high dose, and triggered a classical IgM response that peaked at day 8 post-infection and disappeared. The virulent Manilae and Copenhageni serovars elicited high levels and similar profiles of IgG subclasses in contrast to Icterohaemorrhagiae strains that stimulated weaker antibody responses. Inactivated heat-killed Manilae strains elicited very low responses. However, all mice pre-injected with leptospires challenged with high doses of homologous bacteria did not develop acute leptospirosis, and all antibody responses were boosted after challenge. Furthermore, we showed that 2 months post-challenge, mice pre-infected with the attenuated M895 Manilae LPS mutant or heat-killed bacterin were completely protected against renal colonization. In conclusion, we observed a sustained IgM response potentially associated with chronic leptospiral renal infection. We also demonstrated in mice different profiles of protective and cross-reactive antibodies after L. interrogans infection, depending on the serovar and virulence of strains. Leptospira interrogans is a pathogenic spirochete responsible for leptospirosis, a neglected zoonotic reemerging disease. The immune response of hosts against these bacteria has not been thoroughly studied. Here, we studied over 6 months the antibody profiles in mice infected with L. interrogans and determined whether this humoral response confers long-term protection after homologous challenge six months after primary infection. Groups of mice were infected intraperitoneally with 2×107 bacteria of one of three different pathogenic serovars (Manilae, Copenhageni and Icterohaemorrhagiae) and some corresponding attenuated avirulent mutants. We measured by ELISA each type of Leptospira-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) (IgA, IgM, IgG and 4 subclasses) produced in the first weeks up to 6 months post-infection and studied their cross-reactivities among serovars. We showed different profiles of antibody response after L. interrogans challenge in mice, depending on the serovar and virulence of strains. However, all infected mice, including the ones harboring low antibody levels, like mice vaccinated with an inactivated, heat-killed strain, were protected against leptospirosis after challenge. Notably, we also showed an unusual sustained IgM response associated with chronic leptospiral colonization. Altogether, this long-term immune protection is different from what is known in humans and warrants further investigation.
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Goyal DK, Keshav P, Kaur S. Immune induction by adjuvanted Leishmania donovani vaccines against the visceral leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice. Immunobiology 2021; 226:152057. [PMID: 33545508 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2021.152057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a neglected tropical disease caused by Leishmania donovani or Leishmania infantum. Currently, the patients are treated with chemotherapeutic drugs; however, their toxicity limits their use. It would be desirable to develop a vaccine against this infection. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of different vaccine formulations at variable time points. Heat-killed (HK) antigen of Leishmania donovani was adjuvanted with two adjuvants (AddaVax and Montanide ISA 201) and three immunizations at a gap of 2 weeks (wk) were given to BALB/c mice. After 2 weeks of the last booster, mice were given challenge infection and sacrificed before challenge and after 4wk, 8wk, and 12 wk post-challenge. Significant protective immunity was observed in all the immunized animals and it was indicated by the notable rise in delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response, remarkably declined parasite burden, a significant increase in the levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-12, interleukin-17 (Th1 cytokines), and IgG2a in contrast to infected control mice. Montanide ISA 201 with HK antigen provided maximum protection followed by AddaVax with HK and then HK alone. These findings elaborate on the importance of the tested adjuvants in the vaccine formulations against murine visceral leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Kumar Goyal
- Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Poonam Keshav
- Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Sukhbir Kaur
- Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India.
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Wunder EA, Adhikarla H, Hamond C, Owers Bonner KA, Liang L, Rodrigues CB, Bisht V, Nally JE, Alt DP, Reis MG, Diggle PJ, Felgner PL, Ko A. A live attenuated-vaccine model confers cross-protective immunity against different species of the Leptospira genus. eLife 2021; 10:e64166. [PMID: 33496263 PMCID: PMC7837694 DOI: 10.7554/elife.64166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is the leading zoonotic disease in terms of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Effective prevention is urgently needed as the drivers of disease transmission continue to intensify. The key challenge has been developing a widely applicable vaccine that protects against the >300 serovars that can cause leptospirosis. Live attenuated mutants are enticing vaccine candidates and poorly explored in the field. We evaluated a recently characterized motility-deficient mutant lacking the expression of a flagellar protein, FcpA. Although the fcpA- mutant has lost its ability to cause disease, transient bacteremia was observed. In two animal models, immunization with a single dose of the fcpA- mutant was sufficient to induce a robust anti-protein antibodies response that promoted protection against infection with different pathogenic Leptospira species. Furthermore, characterization of the immune response identified a small repertoire of biologically relevant proteins that are highly conserved among pathogenic Leptospira species and potential correlates of cross-protective immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsio A Wunder
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases; Yale School of Public HealthNew HavenUnited States
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation; Brazilian Ministry of HealthSalvadorBrazil
| | - Haritha Adhikarla
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases; Yale School of Public HealthNew HavenUnited States
| | - Camila Hamond
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases; Yale School of Public HealthNew HavenUnited States
| | - Katharine A Owers Bonner
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases; Yale School of Public HealthNew HavenUnited States
| | - Li Liang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease; University of California IrvineIrvineUnited States
| | - Camila B Rodrigues
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease; University of California IrvineIrvineUnited States
- Institute of Technology in Immunobiology, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation; Brazilian Ministry of HealthRio de JaneiroBrazil
| | - Vimla Bisht
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases; Yale School of Public HealthNew HavenUnited States
| | - Jarlath E Nally
- Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service; United States Department of AgricultureAmesUnited States
| | - David P Alt
- Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service; United States Department of AgricultureAmesUnited States
| | - Mitermayer G Reis
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation; Brazilian Ministry of HealthSalvadorBrazil
| | - Peter J Diggle
- CHICAS, Lancaster Medical School; Lancaster UniversityLancasterUnited Kingdom
| | - Philip L Felgner
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease; University of California IrvineIrvineUnited States
| | - Albert Ko
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases; Yale School of Public HealthNew HavenUnited States
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation; Brazilian Ministry of HealthSalvadorBrazil
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10
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Yi L, Du Y, Mao C, Li J, Jin M, Sun L, Wang Y. Immunogenicity and protective ability of RpoE against Streptococcus suis serotype 2. J Appl Microbiol 2020; 130:1075-1083. [PMID: 32996241 DOI: 10.1111/jam.14874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
AIMS RpoE is quite immunogenic and can be used as a candidate vaccine for Streptococcus suis infection via immunoproteomics as reported in our previous studies. In this study, we aimed to verify the immunogenicity of recombinant RpoE and its protective effect against of S. suis. METHODS AND RESULTS The RpoE protein was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli, and the purified recombinant protein was mixed with ISA206 to prepare an S. suis subunit vaccine. Mice were immunized with the RpoE subunit vaccine and then infected with the virulent S. suis strain ZY05719. Subunit vaccine-immunized mice achieved 50% protection, less pathological damage and less bacterial distribution in each organ compared with the control mice. Furthermore, in vitro culture, showed that mouse antisera significantly (P < 0·001) inhibited the growth of S. suis, and qRT-PCR results showed that RpoE successfully induced the up-regulation of IL-6 and TNF-α cytokines. CONCLUSIONS RpoE mice were vaccinated to obtain immune protection, which may be candidates for S. suis subunit vaccine. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY The results of this study will provide new ideas for the development of safe and effective recombinant subunits vaccines for S. suis.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Yi
- College of Life Science, Luoyang Normal University, Luoyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathogen and Immunology of Animal of Luoyang, Luoyang, China
| | - Y Du
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathogen and Immunology of Animal of Luoyang, Luoyang, China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - C Mao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathogen and Immunology of Animal of Luoyang, Luoyang, China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - J Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathogen and Immunology of Animal of Luoyang, Luoyang, China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - M Jin
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathogen and Immunology of Animal of Luoyang, Luoyang, China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - L Sun
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathogen and Immunology of Animal of Luoyang, Luoyang, China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Y Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathogen and Immunology of Animal of Luoyang, Luoyang, China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
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11
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Oliveira TL, Bacelo KL, Forster KM, Ilha V, Rodrigues OE, Hartwig DD. DNA nanovaccines prepared using LemA antigen protect Golden Syrian hamsters against Leptospira lethal infection. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2020; 115:e190396. [PMID: 32321154 PMCID: PMC7164400 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760190396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nanoparticles (NPs) are viable candidates as carriers of exogenous materials into cells via transfection and can be used in the DNA vaccination strategy against leptospirosis. OBJECTIVES We evaluated the efficiency of halloysite clay nanotubes (HNTs) and amine-functionalised multi-walled carbon nanotubes (NH2-MWCNTs) in facilitating recombinant LemA antigen (rLemA) expression and protecting Golden Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) against Leptospira interrogans lethal infection. METHODS An indirect immunofluorescent technique was used to investigate the potency of HNTs and NH2-MWCNTs in enhancing the transfection and expression efficiency of the DNA vaccine in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Hamsters were immunised with two doses of vaccines HNT-pTARGET/lemA, NH2-MWCNTs-pTARGET/lemA, pTARGET/lemA, and empty pTARGET (control), and the efficacy was determined in terms of humoral immune response and protection against a lethal challenge. FINDINGS rLemA DNA vaccines carried by NPs were able to transfect CHO cells effectively, inducing IgG immune response in hamsters (p < 0.05), and did not exhibit cytotoxic effects. Furthermore, 83.3% of the hamsters immunised with NH2-MWCNTs-pTARGET/lemA were protected against the lethal challenge (p < 0.01), and 66.7% of hamsters immunised with HNT-pTARGET/lemA survived (p < 0.05). MAIN CONCLUSIONS NH2-MWCNTs and HNTs can act as antigen carriers for mammalian cells and are suitable for DNA nanovaccine delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaís Larré Oliveira
- Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Pelotas, RS, Brasil
| | - Kátia Leston Bacelo
- Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Pelotas, RS, Brasil
| | - Karine Maciel Forster
- Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Pelotas, RS, Brasil
| | - Vinicius Ilha
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Departamento de Química, Santa Maria, RS, Brasil
| | | | - Daiane D Hartwig
- Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.,Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Instituto de Biologia, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Pelotas, RS, Brasil
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12
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Role of Supramolecule ErpY-Like Lipoprotein of Leptospira in Thrombin-Catalyzed Fibrin Clot Inhibition and Binding to Complement Factors H and I, and Its Diagnostic Potential. Infect Immun 2019; 87:IAI.00536-19. [PMID: 31548314 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00536-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is one of the most widespread zoonoses caused by pathogenic Leptospira spp. In this study, we report that the LIC11966/ErpY-like lipoprotein is a surface-exposed outer membrane protein exclusively present in pathogenic species of Leptospira The recombinant ErpY (rErpY)-like protein is recognized by the immunoglobulins of confirmed leptospirosis sera of diverse hosts (human, bovine, and canine), suggesting the expression of the native leptospiral surface protein during infection. Circular dichroism of pure rErpY-like protein showed the secondary structural integrity to be uncompromised during the purification process. Analysis of the rErpY-like protein by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, chemical cross-linking, dynamic light scattering, and field emission transmission electron microscopy demonstrated it undergoes supramolecular assembly. The rErpY-like protein can bind to diverse host extracellular matrices, and it presented a saturable and strong binding affinity (dissociation constant [KD ] of 70.45 ± 4.13 nM) to fibrinogen, a central host plasma component involved in blood clotting. In the presence of the rErpY-like supramolecule, thrombin-catalyzed fibrin clot formation is inhibited up to 7%, implying its role in inhibiting blood coagulation during Leptospira infection. In addition, binding of the rErpY-like supramolecule to complement factors H and I suggests the protein also contributes to Leptospira evading innate host defense during infection by inactivating alternative complement pathways. This study reveals that rErpY-like protein is functionally active in the supramolecular state and performs moonlighting activity under the given in vitro conditions.
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Techawiwattanaboon T, Barnier-Quer C, Palaga T, Jacquet A, Collin N, Sangjun N, Komanee P, Piboonpocanun S, Patarakul K. Reduced Renal Colonization and Enhanced Protection by Leptospiral Factor H Binding Proteins as a Multisubunit Vaccine Against Leptospirosis in Hamsters. Vaccines (Basel) 2019; 7:vaccines7030095. [PMID: 31443566 PMCID: PMC6789851 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines7030095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Subunit vaccines conferring complete protection against leptospirosis are not currently available. The interactions of factor H binding proteins (FHBPs) on pathogenic leptospires and host factor H are crucial for immune evasion by inhibition of complement-mediated killing. The inhibition of these interactions may be a potential strategy to clear leptospires in the host. This study aimed to evaluate a multisubunit vaccine composed of four known leptospiral FHBPs: LigA domain 7–13 (LigAc), LenA, LcpA, and Lsa23, for its protective efficacy in hamsters. The mono and multisubunit vaccines formulated with LMQ adjuvant, a combination of neutral liposome, monophosphoryl lipid A, and Quillaja saponaria fraction 21, induced high and comparable specific antibody (IgG) production against individual antigens. Hamsters immunized with the multisubunit vaccine showed 60% survival following the challenge by 20× LD50 of Leptospira interrogans serovar Pomona. No significant difference in survival rate and pathological findings of target organs was observed after vaccinations with multisubunit or mono-LigAc vaccines. However, the multisubunit vaccine significantly reduced leptospiral burden in surviving hamsters in comparison with the monosubunit vaccines. Therefore, the multisubunit vaccine conferred partial protection and reduced renal colonization against virulence Leptospira infection in hamsters. Our multisubunit formulation could represent a promising vaccine against leptospirosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teerasit Techawiwattanaboon
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Chula Vaccine Research Center (Chula VRC), Center of Excellence in Vaccine Research and Development, Chulalongkorn University, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | | | - Tanapat Palaga
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Alain Jacquet
- Chula Vaccine Research Center (Chula VRC), Center of Excellence in Vaccine Research and Development, Chulalongkorn University, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Nicolas Collin
- Vaccine Formulation Laboratory (VFL), University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Noppadon Sangjun
- Armed Force Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS), Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Pat Komanee
- Armed Force Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS), Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Surapon Piboonpocanun
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Kanitha Patarakul
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
- Chula Vaccine Research Center (Chula VRC), Center of Excellence in Vaccine Research and Development, Chulalongkorn University, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
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Teixeira AF, Fernandes LG, Cavenague MF, Takahashi MB, Santos JC, Passalia FJ, Daroz BB, Kochi LT, Vieira ML, Nascimento AL. Adjuvanted leptospiral vaccines: Challenges and future development of new leptospirosis vaccines. Vaccine 2019; 37:3961-3973. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.05.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Padilha BCR, Simão HQ, Oliveira TL, Hartwig DD. The use of ErpY-like recombinant protein from Leptospira interrogans in the development of an immunodiagnostic test for swine leptospirosis. Acta Trop 2019; 193:31-34. [PMID: 30776321 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Swine leptospirosis poses a major problem in the agricultural sector. The gold standard for serodiagnosis of leptospirosis is Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT). However, the limitations of this technique make the search for alternative diagnostic methods inevitable. In the present study, ErpY-like recombinant protein (rErpY-like), produced in Escherichia coli and used as antigen in indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), was evaluated for its efficacy as a novel diagnostic tool for swine leptospirosis. For the study, 72 samples of swine sera characterized by microscopic agglutination test (MAT), were evaluated by indirect ELISA. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy values obtained from the analysis were 96.8%, 100%, and 99%, respectively, thereby suggesting that rErpY-like ELISA being a sensitive and specific method for antibodies detection in swine populations could be used as an alternative for diagnosis of swine leptospirosis.
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