title: Passive immunization by recombinant ferric enterobactin protein (FepA) from Escherichia coli O157.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 has been recognized as a major food borne pathogen responsible for frequent hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome in humans. Cattle are important reservoirs of E. coli O157:H7, in which the organism colonizes the intestinal tract and is shed in the feces.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Vaccination of cattle has significant potential as a pre-harvest intervention strategy for E. coli O157:H7. The aim of this study was to evaluate active and passive immunization against E. coli O157:H7 using a recombinant protein.
  
  
  METHODS
  The recombinant FepA protein induced by IPTG was purified by nickel affinity chromatography. Antibody titre was determined by ELISA in FepA immunized rabbits sera. Sera collected from vaccinated animals were used for bacterial challenge in passive immunization studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results demonstrate that passive immunization with serum raised against FepA protects rabbits from subsequent infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significant recognition by the antibody of ferric enterobactin binding protein may lead to its application in the restriction of Enterobacteriaceae propagation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Shahed University, Tehran-Qom Express Way, Opposite Imam Khomeini's shrine, Tehran-3319118651, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Mehdi
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Larrie-Bagha
authors.forename: Iraj
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rasooli
authors.forename: Seyed Latif
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Mousavi-Gargari
authors.forename: Zohreh
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Rasooli
authors.forename: Shahram
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nazarian
keywords: Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli; FepA; Passive immunization; Vaccine