Role of Escherichia coli type 1 pilus in colonization of porcine ileum and its protective nature as a vaccine antigen in controlling colibacillosis.
This study was designed to evaluate the role of Escherichia coli type 1 pili in adherence of the organism to porcine small intestines and the efficacy of pili as a vaccine antigen in controlling neonatal colibacillosis. Our results demonstrated that an E. coli phase cloned to express type 1 pili readily attached to the small intestines of colostrum-deprived newborn pigs. Immunofluorescent staining of intestine sections revealed the presence of E. coli expressing type 1 pili only on the brush border, suggesting involvement of type 1 pili in the colonization process. Administration of anti-type 1 serum to newborn pigs prior to challenge reduced the level of gut-associated E. coli sixfold compared with controls. Purified type 1 pilus vaccine induced significant protection against colibacillosis in newborn pigs following challenge with E. coli expressing type 1 pili. Pigs born to vaccinated gilts scoured less and gained more weight than pigs born to control gilts. Our results demonstrate that type 1 pili are a virulence factor, as well as an effective vaccine antigen.
Jayappa
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Goodnow
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Geary
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D000268:Adhesiveness; D000818:Animals; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D010861:Fimbriae, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D007082:Ileum / Q000382:microbiology*; D007106:Immune Sera; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014611:Vaccination
D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D007106:Immune Sera