Vaccine and serum-mediated protection against brucella infection of mouse placenta.

Pregnant mice inoculated i.p. or i.v. with virulent Brucella abortus Strain 544 displayed strong infection, evidenced by brucella enumeration in placentas and dams' spleens. Vaccination 1 month before pregnancy decreased frequency of placental colonization and number of brucella per infected placenta and per spleen. Protein-bound cell wall peptidoglycan (PG) fractions extracted from brucella protected mice as well as H38 killed and B19 attenuated living vaccines. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) fraction was comparatively less active. Immune serum injected i.v., either 24 h before or just after i.v. challenge of 15-day pregnant mice effectively transferred resistance to placental colonization. Anti LPS, anti PG and anti killed brucella sera protected mice as well as vaccination one month before pregnancy. The immunity transferred persisted for at least 3 days.