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Richardson S, Bell CR, Medhavi F, Tanner T, Lundy S, Omosun Y, Igietseme JU, Eko FO. A novel cold-chain free VCG-based subunit vaccine protects against Chlamydia abortus-induced neonatal mortality in a pregnant mouse model. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1243743. [PMID: 37915580 PMCID: PMC10616880 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1243743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia abortus (Cab) causes spontaneous abortion and neonatal mortality in infected ruminants and pregnant women. Most Cab infections are asymptomatic, although they can be treated with antibiotics, signifying that control of these infections may require alternative strategies, including the use of effective vaccines. However, the limitations imposed by live attenuated and inactivated vaccines further suggest that employment of subunit vaccines may need to be considered. The efficacy of a newly generated Vibrio cholerae ghost (rVCG)-based subunit vaccine harboring the N-terminal portion of the Cab Pmp18D protein (rVCG-Pmp18.3) in preventing Cab-induced abortion or neonatal mortality was evaluated in pregnant mice. Mice were intranasally (IN) immunized and boosted twice, 2 weeks apart with the vaccine, and immunized and unimmunized mice were caged with males 4 weeks postimmunization. The mice were then infected either IN or transcervically (TC) 10 days after pregnancy, and the fertility rate was determined 7 days postpartum. Eight days after delivery, the mice were sacrificed, and Cab infectivity in the lungs and spleens was evaluated by culturing tissue homogenates in tissue culture. Our results demonstrated that the vaccine induced immune effectors that mediated complete clearance of infection in the lungs and significantly reduced Cab infectivity in the spleen following IN immunization. Vaccine immunization also afforded protection against Cab-induced upper genital tract pathology (uterine dilation). Furthermore, while there was no incidence of abortion in both immunized and unimmunized mice, immunized mice were completely protected against neonatal mortality compared to unimmunized infected controls, which lost a significant percentage of their litter 7 days postpartum. Our results establish the capability of the rVCG-Pmp18.3 vaccine to prevent infection in the lungs (mucosal) and spleen (systemic) and protect mice from Cab-induced tubal pathologies and neonatal mortality, a hallmark of Cab infection in ruminants. To advance the commercial potential of this vaccine, future studies will optimize the antigen dose and the number of vaccine doses required for protection of ruminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shakyra Richardson
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Courtnee R. Bell
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Fnu Medhavi
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Tayhlor Tanner
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Stephanie Lundy
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Yusuf Omosun
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Joseph U. Igietseme
- National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Francis O. Eko
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Martínez-Serrano MG, Díaz-Aparicio E, Palomares-Reséndiz G, Tórtora-Pérez JL, Ramírez-Álvarez H, Ortega-Hernández N, Salinas-Lorente J, Morales-Alvarez JF, Cervantes-Morali JJC. Presence of Chlamydia abortus in colostrum, milk and vaginal discharge samples of sheep. REV COLOMB CIENC PEC 2022. [DOI: https:/doi.org/10.17533/udea.rccp.v35n2a04] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The main transmission route of Chlamydia abortus is by ingesting the microorganism that has been eliminated in vaginal secretions, placental membranes or abortions that contaminate the environment and, possibly, through milk and colostrum. Elimination through vaginal secretions is well documented. However, there are no reports about isolation and identification of C. abortus in the colostrum or milk of infected sheep, so it is important to determine whether or not C. abortus may be present in these secretions, which are the only food of lambs. Objective: To detect C. abortus in colostrum, milk, and vaginal secretions of sheep with a history of reproductive disorders. Methods: Colostrum, milk, and vaginal exudates were collected from 66 sheep. The samples were inoculated in mouse fibroblast cell cultures and the presence of C. abortus determined by direct immunofluorescence. Results: 19 out of 66 colostrum samples (28.7%), 14 out of 66 milk samples (21.2%) and 17 out of 66 vaginal swabs (25.7%) were positive for C. abortus. The 50 samples positive for isolation and detected by immunofluorescence, together with 42 negative samples were subjected to qPCR to amplify a fragment of the ompA gene from C. abortus. Thirty-eight of the 92 samples processed by this technique were positive for C. abortus. Conclusion: The results demonstrated the presence of C. abortus in a high proportion in colostrum, milk and vaginal secretions of infected sheep. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first field study confirming the presence of C. abortus in colostrum, which shows that excretion of Chlamydia by lactogenesis could occur in the first hours after birth.
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Turin L, Surini S, Wheelhouse N, Rocchi MS. Recent advances and public health implications for environmental exposure to Chlamydia abortus: from enzootic to zoonotic disease. Vet Res 2022; 53:37. [PMID: 35642008 PMCID: PMC9152823 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-022-01052-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental transmission of Chlamydia abortus as a result of enzootic disease or disease outbreaks and the threats posed by this pathogen has been previously reported, however a state-of-the-science review of these reports and the identification of future research priorities in this area is still lacking. This study provides an overview of the current knowledge of host–pathogen–environment interactions, addressing public health risks and identifying critical questions and research gaps. We performed a systematic PubMed and Web of Science search for publications related to Chlamydia abortus in the past four decades, and we reviewed and combined the evidence critically discussing and commenting the results. A total of 182 studies, 5 chapters of specific books and the “OIE terrestrial manual” were included in this review. There were substantial variations between the studies in topic addressed and experimental design. Overall, the literature largely supports the crucial role played by environmental exposure on the acquisition of zoonotic disease caused by Chlamydia abortus. We also identify the paucity of information related to interspecies transmission and pathogen adaptation in relation to environmental dissemination and zoonotic risk. This analysis further highlights the need for additional research given that environmental transmission represents a serious risk not only to susceptible patients (pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals), but also for other species including wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauretta Turin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
| | - Sara Surini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Nick Wheelhouse
- School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Sighthill Court, Edinburgh, EH11 4BN, UK
| | - Mara Silvia Rocchi
- Moredun Research Institute, Bush Loan, Pentlands Science Park, Penicuik, EH26 0PZ, Scotland, UK
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Yang J, Lv Y, Zhu Y, Li S, Tao J, Chang L, Zhu M, Zhao J, Wang Y, Wu C, Zhao W. Baseline T-lymphocyte and cytokine indices in sheep peripheral blood. BMC Vet Res 2022; 18:165. [PMID: 35513847 PMCID: PMC9074339 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-022-03268-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sheep are an important livestock species worldwide and an essential large-animal model for animal husbandry and veterinary research. Understanding fundamental immune indicators, especially T-lymphocyte parameters, is necessary for research on sheep diseases and vaccines, to better understand the immune response to bacteria and viruses for reducing the use of antibiotics and improving the welfare of sheep. We randomly selected 36 sheep of similar ages to analyze cell-related immune indicators in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in PBMCs were detected by flow cytometry. We used Concanavalin A (Con A) and Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)/Ionomycin to stimulate PBMCs, and measured the expression of IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-17A using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISpot). Simultaneously, PMA/Ionomycin/brefeldin A (BFA) was added to PBMCs, then the expression of IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-17A was detected by flow cytometry after 4 h of culturing. In addition, we observed the proliferation of PBMCs stimulated with Con A for 3, 4, and 5 days. Results The proportions of CD4+ T lymphocytes (18.70 ± 4.21%) and CD8+ T lymphocytes (8.70 ± 3.65%) were generally consistent among individuals, with a CD4/CD8 ratio of 2.40 ± 0.79. PBMCs produced high levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-17A after stimulation with PMA/Ionomycin and Con A. Furthermore, PMA/Ionomycin stimulation of PBMC yielded significantly higher cytokine levels than Con A stimulation. Flow cytometry showed that the level of IFN-γ (51.49 ± 11.54%) in CD8+ T lymphocytes was significantly (p < 0.001) higher than that in CD4+ T lymphocytes (14.29 ± 3.26%); IL-4 (16.13 ± 6.81%) in CD4+ T lymphocytes was significantly (p < 0.001) higher than that in CD8+ T lymphocytes (1.84 ± 1.33%), There was no difference in IL-17A between CD4+ (2.83 ± 0.98%) and CD8+ T lymphocytes (1.34 ± 0.67%). The proliferation of total lymphocytes, CD4+ T lymphocytes, and CD8+ T lymphocytes continued to increase between days 3 and 5; however, there were no significant differences in proliferation between the cell types during the stimulation period. Conclusions Evaluating primary sheep immune indicators, especially T lymphocytes, is significant for studying cellular immunity. This study provided valuable data and theoretical support for assessing the immune response of sheep to pathogens and improving sheep welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihui Yang
- Center of Scientifc Technology of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Ningxia Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Common Infectious Diseases, Yinchuan, China.,School of Basic Medical Science of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yongxue Lv
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Common Infectious Diseases, Yinchuan, China.,School of Basic Medical Science of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yazhou Zhu
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Common Infectious Diseases, Yinchuan, China.,School of Basic Medical Science of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Shasha Li
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Common Infectious Diseases, Yinchuan, China.,School of Basic Medical Science of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Jia Tao
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Common Infectious Diseases, Yinchuan, China.,School of Basic Medical Science of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Liangliang Chang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Common Infectious Diseases, Yinchuan, China.,School of Basic Medical Science of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Mingxing Zhu
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Common Infectious Diseases, Yinchuan, China.,School of Basic Medical Science of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Jiaqing Zhao
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Common Infectious Diseases, Yinchuan, China.,School of Basic Medical Science of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yana Wang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Common Infectious Diseases, Yinchuan, China.,School of Basic Medical Science of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Changyou Wu
- Institute of Immunology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Common Infectious Diseases, Yinchuan, China. .,School of Basic Medical Science of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.
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Martínez-Serrano MG, Palomares-Reséndiz G, Tórtora-Pérez JL, Ramírez-Álvarez H, Ortega-Hernández N, Salinas-Lorente J, Morales-Alvarez JF, Cervantes-Morali JJC, Díaz-Aparicio E. Presence of Chlamydia abortus in colostrum, milk and vaginal discharge samples of sheep. REV COLOMB CIENC PEC 2021. [DOI: 10.17533/udea.rccp.v35n2a04] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Livingstone M, Wattegedera SR, Palarea-Albaladejo J, Aitchison K, Corbett C, Sait M, Wilson K, Chianini F, Rocchi MS, Wheelhouse N, Entrican G, Longbottom D. Efficacy of Two Chlamydia abortus Subcellular Vaccines in a Pregnant Ewe Challenge Model for Ovine Enzootic Abortion. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9080898. [PMID: 34452023 PMCID: PMC8402522 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9080898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia abortus, the aetiological agent of enzootic abortion of ewes, is a major cause of reproductive loss in small ruminants worldwide, accounting for significant economic losses to the farming industry. Disease can be managed through the use of commercial inactivated or live whole organism-based vaccines, although both have limitations particularly in terms of efficacy, safety and disease-associated outbreaks. Here we report a comparison of two experimental vaccines (chlamydial outer membrane complex (COMC) and octyl glucoside (OG)-COMC) based on detergent extracted outer membrane preparations of C. abortus and delivered as prime-boost immunisations, with the commercial live vaccine Cevac® Chlamydia in a pregnant sheep challenge model. No abortions occurred in either experimental vaccine group, while a single abortion occurred in the commercial vaccine group. Bacterial shedding, as a measure of potential risk of transmission of infection to naïve animals, was lowest in the COMC vaccinated group, with reductions of 87.5%, 86.4% and 74% observed for the COMC, OG-COMC and live commercial vaccine groups, respectively, compared to the unvaccinated challenge control group. The results show that the COMC vaccine performed the best and is a safer efficacious alternative to the commercial vaccines. However, to improve commercial viability, future studies should optimise the antigen dose and number of inoculations required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morag Livingstone
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK; (M.L.); (S.R.W.); (K.A.); (C.C.); (M.S.); (K.W.); (F.C.); (M.S.R.); (N.W.); (G.E.)
| | - Sean Ranjan Wattegedera
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK; (M.L.); (S.R.W.); (K.A.); (C.C.); (M.S.); (K.W.); (F.C.); (M.S.R.); (N.W.); (G.E.)
| | | | - Kevin Aitchison
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK; (M.L.); (S.R.W.); (K.A.); (C.C.); (M.S.); (K.W.); (F.C.); (M.S.R.); (N.W.); (G.E.)
| | - Cecilia Corbett
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK; (M.L.); (S.R.W.); (K.A.); (C.C.); (M.S.); (K.W.); (F.C.); (M.S.R.); (N.W.); (G.E.)
| | - Michelle Sait
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK; (M.L.); (S.R.W.); (K.A.); (C.C.); (M.S.); (K.W.); (F.C.); (M.S.R.); (N.W.); (G.E.)
| | - Kim Wilson
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK; (M.L.); (S.R.W.); (K.A.); (C.C.); (M.S.); (K.W.); (F.C.); (M.S.R.); (N.W.); (G.E.)
| | - Francesca Chianini
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK; (M.L.); (S.R.W.); (K.A.); (C.C.); (M.S.); (K.W.); (F.C.); (M.S.R.); (N.W.); (G.E.)
| | - Mara Silvia Rocchi
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK; (M.L.); (S.R.W.); (K.A.); (C.C.); (M.S.); (K.W.); (F.C.); (M.S.R.); (N.W.); (G.E.)
| | - Nicholas Wheelhouse
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK; (M.L.); (S.R.W.); (K.A.); (C.C.); (M.S.); (K.W.); (F.C.); (M.S.R.); (N.W.); (G.E.)
| | - Gary Entrican
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK; (M.L.); (S.R.W.); (K.A.); (C.C.); (M.S.); (K.W.); (F.C.); (M.S.R.); (N.W.); (G.E.)
| | - David Longbottom
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK; (M.L.); (S.R.W.); (K.A.); (C.C.); (M.S.); (K.W.); (F.C.); (M.S.R.); (N.W.); (G.E.)
- Correspondence:
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Selim A, Manaa EA, Waheed RM, Alanazi AD. Seroprevalence, associated risk factors analysis and first molecular characterization of chlamydia abortus among Egyptian sheep. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2020; 74:101600. [PMID: 33260020 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2020.101600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia abortus is one of the most common abortive agents worldwide in sheep. Few studies have been reported C. abortus infection among sheep in Egypt but the available data is scarce. The objective of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of C. abortus among sheep, the associated risk factors and its molecular characterization. The present study was conducted on 675 sheep in six Governorates at Northern Egypt. Data analysis confirmed the presence of antibodies against C. abortus in 93 out of 675 sheep. The logistic regression model was fitted to identify the associated risk factors with C. abortus infection. The results revealed that C. abortus increased significantly in ewes (OR = 4.04, 95 %CI: 1.44-11.28) during autumn season (OR = 3.6, 95 %CI: 1.64-8.28), in ewes with a history of abortion (OR = 1.4, 95 %CI: 0.87-2.50) and in farm where no lambing pen (OR = 2.2, 95 %CI: 1.30-3.94) or abscence of post abortion measures (OR = 1.96, 95%CI: 1.23-3.12). In addition, age, flock size and exchange of breeding ram had no significant effect on prevalence of chlamydiosis. Also, PCR assay was confirmed presence of C. abortus as accusative pathogen in aborted ewe and the genetic characterization of Egyptian C. abortus strain revealed 100 % identity with another strain from Iraq. A control program should be applied to reduce economic losses and risk of human infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelfattah Selim
- Department of Animal Medicine (Infectious Diseases), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Toukh, 13736, Egypt.
| | - Eman A Manaa
- Animal and Poultry Production, Department of Animal Wealth Development, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Egypt
| | - Rania M Waheed
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Toukh, 13736, Egypt
| | - Abdullah D Alanazi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Humanities, Shaqra University, P.O. Box 1040 Ad-Dawadimi, 11911, Saudi Arabia
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