Expression of 4 truncated fragments of Pasteurella multocida toxin and their immunogenicity.

Pasteurella multocida toxin (PMT) is a poor antigen that becomes more immunogenic after its native structure has been destroyed. In contrast, partially truncated PMT proteins, which are predicted to be good antigens when used as a vaccine, might be used to improve the control of atrophic rhinitis in pigs. In this study, 4 truncated PMT fragments were expressed in Escherichia coli, and those 4 fragments were inoculated into mice to produce the polyclonal antibodies. The results of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) revealed that #1 and #4 fragments were the most immunogenic. Immunized mice were subsequently challenged intraperitoneally with P. multocida type D. Five of the eight #1 fragment-immunized mice showed some protection against death and bacterial clearance. Pigs immunized with #1 fragment produced no or mild atrophic rhinitis (turbinate conchal score) after challenge, suggesting that this #1 fragment could be a good candidate for a subunit recombinant-type vaccine.