Recombinant CP40 from Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis confers protection in mice after challenge with a virulent strain.

Background: Caseous Lymphadenitis (CLA) is a contagious, infectious, chronic disease caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, which affects mainly sheep and goats. The clinical prevalence of CLA in Brazil is 30%, resulting in decreased milk production, weight loss, and unusable meat and leather. Prophylaxis is based on vaccination; however, current vaccinations do not offer effective protection against the infection, which makes the development of a new vaccine essential to control this disease.