Identification and characterization of a Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus immunogenic GroEL protein involved in biofilm formation.

Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus (S. equi spp.

Development of real-time PCR assay for detection of porcine circovirus-like virus P1 in domestic pigs in China.

Background: The porcine circovirus-like agent P1 is a newly discovered DNA virus with a single-stranded circular genome that is highly homologous to that of porcine circovirus type 2. P1 infection can cause symptoms resembling postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome. This study aims to develop a rapid, sensitive and specific method to detect P1.

The effects of upaB deletion and the double/triple deletion of upaB, aatA, and aatB genes on pathogenicity of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli.

Autotransporters (ATs) are associated with pathogenesis of Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC). The molecular characterization of APEC ATs can provide insights about their relevance to APEC pathogenesis. Here, we characterized a conventional autotransporter UpaB in APEC DE205B genome.

Effect of Tran on virulence through regulating metabolism and stress tolerance of Streptococcus suis serotype 2.

Streptococcus suis (SS) is an important zoonotic pathogen causing a variety of life-threatening infections in pigs and humans. Tran, a novel transcriptional regulator which was identified to be an infection-related factor in S. suis serotype 2 using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH), has been reported by our group.

A novel vaccine against Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus (SEZ) co-infection.

To develop a vaccine against Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus (SEZ) co-infection, the genes of porcine IL-18, capsid protein (Cap) of PCV2 and M-like protein (SzP) of SEZ were inserted into the swinepox virus (SPV) genome by homologous recombination. The recombinant swinepox virus rSPV-ICS was verified by PCR and indirect immunofluorescence assays.

Biofilm formation of Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus and comparative proteomic analysis of biofilm and planktonic cells.

Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus (SEZ) is responsible for a wide variety of infections in many species, including pigs, horses and humans. Biofilm formation is essential for pathogenesis, and the ability to resist antibiotic treatment results in difficult-to-treat and persistent infections.

Identification of genes preferentially expressed by highly virulent piscine Streptococcus agalactiae upon interaction with macrophages.

Streptococcus agalactiae, long recognized as a mammalian pathogen, is an emerging concern with regard to fish. In this study, we used a mouse model and in vitro cell infection to evaluate the pathogenetic characteristics of S. agalactiae GD201008-001, isolated from tilapia in China.

Contribution of fibronectin-binding protein to pathogenesis of Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus.

Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus) is responsible for a wide variety of infections in many species.

Tetrahymena: an alternative model host for evaluating virulence of Aeromonas strains.

An easier assessment model would be helpful for high-throughput screening of Aeromonas virulence. The previous study indicated the potential of Tetrahymena as a permissive model to examine virulence of Aeromonas hydrophila. Here our aim was to assess virulence of Aeromonas spp.

Complete genome sequence of an H3N2 canine influenza virus from dogs in Jiangsu, China.

A canine influenza virus (CIV) strain of avian origin designated A/Canine/Jiangsu/06/2010 (H3N2) was isolated from dogs exhibiting severe respiratory disease in Jiangsu, China. We announce the complete genome sequence of this viral strain and report major findings from the genomic analysis. This sequence will help us understand the molecular characteristics and evolutionary of H3N2 CIV in China.

Construction and immunogenicity of recombinant swinepox virus expressing capsid protein of PCV2.

To explore development of a vaccine against PCV2 infections, the gene of capsid protein (Cap) was inserted into the swinepox virus (SPV) genome by homologous recombination. The recombinant swinepox virus expressing capsid protein (rSPV-cap) was verified by PCR, western blot and immunofluorescence assays. To evaluate the immunogenicity of rSPV-cap, twenty-four PCV2 seronegative minipigs were immunized with rSPV-cap, wild type SPV (wtSPV; negative control), or PBS (challenge control).

Development of an Aeromonas hydrophila recombinant extracellular protease vaccine.

Aeromonas hydrophila (Ah) exists widely in the aquatic environment and infects a variety of animals. Extracellular protease (EPR) is an important protective antigen that induces a specific antibody response to resist Ah infection. In this study, two genes encoding extracellular protease epr2 and epr3 were linked within the expression vector pET32a to construct a recombinant pET-epr2-3 plasmid.

Virus-like particles of hepatitis B virus core protein containing five mimotopes of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) protect chickens against IBDV.

Current infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) vaccines suffer from maternal antibody interference and mimotope vaccines might be an alternative. Previously we demonstrated an IBDV VP2 five-mimotope polypeptide, 5EPIS, elicited protective immunity in chickens. In the current study, the 5epis gene was inserted into a plasmid carrying human hepatitis B virus core protein (HBc) gene at its major immunodominant region site.

A novel vaccine against Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus infections: the recombinant swinepox virus expressing M-like protein.

To develop a safer, more immunogenic and efficacious vaccine against Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus (SEZ) infections, the gene of M-like protein (SzP) was placed under the strong vaccinia virus promoter P28 and then inserted into swinepox virus (SPV) genome. The recombinant swinepox virus (rSPV-szp) was isolated in a non-selective medium by the co-expression of Escherichia coli LacZ gene and verified by PCR, western blotting and immunofluorescence assays.

Development of an Aeromonas hydrophila infection model using the protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila.

Aeromonas hydrophila is a motile bacterium present in numerous freshwater habitats worldwide and is frequently the cause of infections in fish and numerous terrestrial vertebrates including humans. Because A. hydrophila is also a component of the normal intestinal flora of healthy fish, virulence mechanisms are not well understood.

Immunoproteomic analysis of human serological antibody responses to vaccination with whole-cell pertussis vaccine (WCV).

Background: Pertussis (whooping cough) caused by Bordetella pertussis (B.p), continues to be a serious public health threat. Vaccination is the most economical and effective strategy for preventing and controlling pertussis.

Molecular cloning and analysis of the UDP-Glucose Pyrophosphorylase in Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus.

UDP-Glucose Pyrophosphorylase (EC 2.7.7.

Immunoproteomics of extracellular proteins of the Aeromonas hydrophila China vaccine strain J-1 reveal a highly immunoreactive outer membrane protein.

Aeromonas hydrophila is a gram-negative bacterium that can infect a variety of aquatic and terrestrial animals. It is essential to develop a vaccine to reduce the economic losses caused by this bacterium in aquaculture worldwide. Here, an immunoproteomic assay was used to identify the immunogenic extracellular proteins of the Chinese vaccine strain J-1.

Identification and characterization of inosine 5-monophosphate dehydrogenase in Streptococcus suis type 2.

Streptococcus suis type 2 is a swine pathogen responsible for diverse diseases. Although many virulent factors have been identified and studied, relatively little is known about the pathogenic mechanisms of type 2. The aim of the study was to identify and understand the characterization of Inosine 5-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH).