Escherichia coli F4 fimbriae specific llama single-domain antibody fragments effectively inhibit bacterial adhesion in vitro but poorly protect against diarrhoea.
Oral administration of polyclonal antibodies directed against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) F4 fimbriae is used to protect against piglet post-weaning diarrhoea. For cost reasons, we aim to replace these polyclonal antibodies by recombinant llama single-domain antibody fragments (VHHs) that can be produced efficiently in microorganisms. Six F4 fimbriae specific VHHs were isolated. The VHH that was produced at the highest level by yeast, K609, was further analysed. 3.8 mg/L K609 inhibited 90% of bacterial attachment to intestinal brush borders in vitro. Perfusion of a jejunal segment with at least 4 mg/L K609 reduced the ETEC-induced fluid loss, but only to 30%. Preventive administration of a high K609 dose (150 mg/(piglet day)) to piglets that were challenge infected with ETEC resulted in less severe diarrhoea only at 4 and 5 days post-infection, but did not improve average daily weight gain, ETEC shedding and piglet survival. Thus, we have shown that an antibody fragment that effectively inhibited in vitro ETEC adhesion to intestinal brush borders poorly protected piglets against experimental ETEC infection.
Harmsen
M M
MM
Institute for Animal Science and Health (ID-Lelystad) of Wageningen University and Research Centre, Edelhertweg 15, 8219 PH Lelystad, The Netherlands. m.m.harmsen@id.wag-ur.nl
van Solt
C B
CB
Hoogendoorn
A
A
van Zijderveld
F G
FG
Niewold
T A
TA
van der Meulen
J
J
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000276:immunology; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D002161:Camelids, New World; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D010861:Fimbriae, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary
D001428:Bacterial Vaccines