title: Serological profiles in nursery piglets colonized with Staphylococcus aureus.
abstract: At present, the immune response of pigs in relation to Staphylococcus aureus carriage is poorly understood. This study was aimed at investigating the dynamics of the anti-staphylococcal humoral immune response in methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA)-positive piglets and at assessing the effect of the experimental introduction of a methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) Sequence Type (ST) 398 strain. Therefore, serum samples were collected at different times from 31 weaned piglets originating from four different sows. Twenty-four out of the 31 piglets were challenged with MRSA ST398. The serum samples were analyzed for IgG antibodies to 39 S. aureus antigens, using a multiplex bead-based assay (xMAP technology, Luminex Corporation). Though antibody responses showed broad inter-individual variability, serological results appeared to be clustered by litter of origin. For most antigens, an age-related response was observed with an apparent increase in antibody titers directed against staphylococcal microbial surface components recognizing adhesive matrix molecules (MSCRAMM), which have been shown to play a role in S. aureus colonization. In most animals, antibody titers directed against staphylococcal toxins or immune-modulating proteins decreased with age, possibly reflecting the absence of bacterial invasion. The introduction of MRSA ST398 did not elicit a significant humoral immune reaction.This study describes, for the first time, the humoral immune response in weaned pigs colonized with S. aureus.
authors: Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre (VAR), Department of Bacterial Diseases, Groeselenberg 99, Ukkel, Belgium. flcro@coda-cerva.be.
authors: Florence
authors: F
authors: Crombé
authors: Wannes
authors: W
authors: Vanderhaeghen
authors: Corné P
authors: CP
authors: de Vogel
authors: Willem J
authors: WJ
authors: Van Wamel
authors: Kurt
authors: K
authors: Barbé
authors: Katleen
authors: K
authors: Hermans
authors: Freddy
authors: F
authors: Haesebrouck
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Butaye
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D056724:Immunity, Humoral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D037521:Virulence Factors