title: Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae: association of Spa-type with serotype and role in protective immunity.
abstract: A collection of swine, fish, and cetacean Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae strains representing 16 serotypes was analyzed for possession of the three currently recognized surface protective antigen (spa)-types: spaA, spaB, and spaC. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays and Western blotting with a SpaA-specific monoclonal antibody demonstrated that spa-type is not confined to specific serotype groups. In particular, the spa-type of strains of aquatic origin was more variable than those of terrestrial origin, and possessed the distinct ability to express more than one spa. In a cross-protection study, mice immunized with an E. rhusiopathiae serotype 2 SpaA-type strain and challenged with various E. rhusiopathiae isolates were completely protected against strains exhibiting a single homologous spa, but variably protected against strains possessing a heterologous spa or those harboring more than one spa-type.
authors.affiliation: Center for Veterinary Biologics, Veterinary Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA 50010, USA. Alaina.L.Ingebritson@aphis.usda.gov
authors.forename: Alaina L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Ingebritson
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Roth
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Hauer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002591:Cetacea / Q000382:microbiology*; D056738:Cross Protection; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D004888:Erysipelothrix / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004889:Erysipelothrix Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D005399:Fishes; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012703:Serotyping; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D008565:Membrane Proteins