Therapeutic effect of DNA immunization of genetically susceptible mice infected with virulent Mycoplasma pulmonis.

Genetically susceptible BALB/c mice were immunized i.m. with DNA for one or two Mycoplasma pulmonis Ags (A7-1, A8-1) beginning either 1 wk before (vaccination) or 1 wk after (treatment) intranasal infection with 5 x 10(4) CFU virulent M. pulmonis organisms. Immunization of mice by this method induced both humoral and cellular immunity to M. pulmonis, largely prevented infection (vaccination), and cleared an ongoing pneumonia over time (treatment). Only one Ag gene was required. Thus, DNA immunization is a potential treatment for infections and may be useful in instances when drug therapy may not be available or effective.