Reinhard Weiss¹, Marin H. Groschup² and Claudia Nakov¹

¹Institut für Hygiene und Infektionskrankheiten der Tiere, Justus-Liebig-Universität, D-Giessen; ²Bundesforschungsanstalt für Viruskrankheiten der Tiere, D-Tübingen

SUMMARY

Investigations on extracts from Erysipelothrix (E.) rhusiopathiae carried out within the last few years yielded the identification of a species-specific proteinaceous antigen of 66-64 kDa. The protective properties of this protein presented in particular in crude NaOH and NaOH-EDTA but not in acid and heat extracts could be demonstrated in mice and pigs vaccinated with the electroeluted 66-64 kDa antigen or treated with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, respectively. The identification and characterization of the 66-64 kDa protein as a protective antigen of (E.) rhusiopathiae can be regarded as a basis for a possible replacement of the official mouse protection test in vaccine testing by an in vitro assay.

Keywords: Erysipelothric rhusiopathiae, protective antigen, mouse protection test, replacement