Genetic and antigenic determinants of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides SC, the agent of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia CBPP

• Research unit: COST
• Project number: C96.0073

Key words (English)

CBPP; ELISA; recombinant antigen serology

Research programs (English)

COST-Action 826 - Contagious bovine, ovine and caprine mycoplasmosis : control, diagnostic, prevention

Short description (English)

See abstract

Further information (English)

Full name of research-institution/enterprise: Universität Bern Institut für Veterinär-Bakteriologie

Partners and International Organizations (English)

A, B, HR, CZ, F, D, GR, H, IRL, I, NL, P, E, S, CH, GB

Abstract (English)

An indirect ELISA, based on the specific and strongly antigenic recombinant peptide of the N'-terminal half of the lipoprotein LppQ from Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides small colony type (SC) was developed for the detection of antibodies to M. mycoides subsp. mycoides SC. It was evaluated for its suitability for serodiagnosis and monitoring of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP). The recombinant peptide containing polyhistidine residue tails was expressed in Escherichia coli and subsequently purified by Ni2+ chelate affinity chromatography to be used as antigen to coat microtiter ELISA plates. The specificity of the antigen was tested against rabbit hyperimmune sera directed against related Mycoplasmas of the M. mycoides cluster and with sera from cattle that were either free of CBPP, but suffered from other mycoplasmal infections such as M. bovis, or showed cross-reactions in the complement fixation test. The sensitivity of the ELISA was assessed with sera from artificially infected animals and with sera from cattle originating from areas where CBPP was endemic at the time of blood sampling. Furthermore we have assessed the impact of glycerol uptake and its molecular mechanisms in virulence of M. mycoides subsp. mycoides SC.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: COST-DB of the State Secretariat for Education and Research Hallwylstrasse 4 CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland Tel. [phone] Swiss Project-Number: C96.0073