Pathophysiological and immune cell responses in calves prior to and following lung challenge with formalin-killed Pasteurella multocida biotype A:3 and protection studies involving subsequent homologous live challenge

Pneumonic pasteurellosis is a common respiratory infection in cattle that has major economic and welfare implications world-wide and the incidence in the UK due to Pasteurella multocida, currently the same as that associated with Mannheimia haemolytica, is increasing. Whereas much is known regarding the pathogenesis of M. haemolytica infections little information is available on the pathogenic process of pasteurellosis initiated by P. multocida. In the present work calf systemic and innate immune responses to intratracheal challenge with formalin-killed P. multocida biotype A:3 and to subsequent experimental lung infection with live P. multocida were investigated. Eight-week-old calves were challenged intratracheally on day 0 with either 10⁹ colony forming units (cfu) of formalin-killed P. multocida biotype A:3 in 300 ml saline (n=10) or 300 ml saline alone (n=10), followed, at day 21, by challenge with 10⁹ cfu live P. multocida. Pathophysiological and lung phagocyte responses were assessed by clinical monitoring, sequential lung lavage and blood sampling. Results for samples obtained before, during and after challenge showed clinical and acute phase protein responses to both bacterial culture and saline control treatments, although higher responses were associated with bacterial challenge. Phagocytosis of P. multocida during 1 h incubation periods with lavaged cells in vitro was unaffected by exposure in vivo to killed P. multocida and there was evidence that P. multocida was able to survive intracellularly during this assay. There was no indication that lung exposure to formalin-killed P. multocida conferred protection against subsequent homologous live challenge.     

Release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha from bovine alveolar macrophages stimulated with bovine respiratory viruses and bacterial endotoxins

The release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-) from cultured bovine alveolar macrophages (BAM) was evaluated following stimulation of BAM with bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1), parainfluenza-3 (PI-3) virus, bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), Escherichia coli 0111:B4 endotoxin, Pasteurella haemolytica type 1 endotoxin, Pasteurella multocida endotoxin, and virus/endotoxin combinations. A cytotoxic assay system using Georgia bovine kidney cells as targets was used to measure TNF- activity. The cytotoxic activity was neutralized by an anti-human TNF- monoclonal antibody.

Stimulation of BAM with 1 median tissue culture infectious dose (TCID₅₀) of live or ultraviolet (UV)-inactivated PI-3 virus/cell resulted in release of TNF- in significantly (P<0.05) higher amounts than sham-induced BAM. The quantities of TNF- released after live or UV-inactivated BHV-1 or BRSV induction were not significantly higher than sham-induced BAM. E. coli 0111:B4, P. haemolytica type 1 and P. multocida endotoxins stimulated TNF- release in a dose-dependent manner. Sequential exposure of BAM to 1 TCID₅₀ per cell of either live BHV-1, PI-3 virus or BRSV and then 5 μg ml⁻¹ of either E. coli 0111:B4, P. haemolytica type 1 or P. multocida endotoxin caused a significant (P<0.05) reduction in detectable TNF- in seven of nine virus/endotoxin combinations tested, when compared with 5 μg ml⁻¹ of endotoxin alone. Parainfluenza-3 virus/endotoxin combinations stimulated higher TNF- release when compared with other virus/endotoxin combinations. Five out of six test animals had serum-neutralizing antibodies to PI-3 virus, one out of six had serum-neutralizing antibodies to BHV-1, and two out of six had serum-neutralizing antibodies to BRSV, suggesting a possible relationship between serum neutralizing antibodies and TNF- release from in vitro cultivated BAM.     

Molecular characterization of Theileria orientalis piroplasm protein encoded by an open reading frame (To ORF2) in a genomic fragment

In the present study, a novel antigenic protein expressed in the piroplasm stage of Theileria orientalis was characterized. A 4,707 bp genomic fragment amplified by PCR contained two open reading frames (ORFs). The deduced amino acid sequence of the first ORF showed significantly high similarlity to the ubiquitin carboxy terminal hydrolases/proteases while the second ORF (To ORF2) showed homology to several surface antigens of plasmodia. To ORF2 was expressed to determine whether the protein product is expressed by the parasite. In western blot analysis, bovine antiserum from a T. orientalis-infected calf recognized the recombinant protein containing a C-terminal part of the ORF expressed by baculovirus system. Western blot analysis with the anti-To ORF2 mouse serum recognized a 48 kDa protein in T. orientalis piroplasm lysates. Indirect immunofluorescence antibody test by confocal scanning laser microscopic analysis showed that antisera against the recombinant protein recognized T. orientalis piroplasm in the infected erythrocyte. The results from this study indicate that To ORF2 protein is expressed at the piroplasm stage and is immunogenic. This novel antigenic To ORF2 protein could be exploited for vaccine development against bovine piroplasmosis.     

Heterologous Expression of a Gene Encoding a 35 kDa Protein of Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis in Escherichia coli

The full-length open reading frame coding for a potentially immunogenic 35 kDa protein of Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis was generated using polymerase chain reaction technology. The gene was inserted in-frame into Escherichia coli expression plasmid pQE32. The resulting recombinant plasmid pPMP35 was transformed into E. coli M15. Analysis of the E. coli induced with isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside revealed that the protein accumulated into the cytoplasm as insoluble inclusion bodies. The level of expression of the recombinant 35 kDa protein (P35) was more than 30% of the total protein of E. coli cells. Expression of the recombinant protein was confirmed by immunoblotting. The P35 reacted with a rabbit antiserum raised against a sonicate of M. a. paratuberculosis. The protein was also recognized by serum from a goat with clinical paratuberculosis. Further, a polyclonal antiserum against P35 recognized a 35 kDa band in a membrane fraction of M. a. paratuberculosis. Also, the protein provoked a significant skin reaction in outbred guinea pigs sensitized with M. a. paratuberculosis, as well as in those sensitized with Mycobacterium avium. The results indicate that the 35 kDa protein of M. a. paratuberculosis is a membrane protein, having a role in the cellular immune response.     

牛溶血性曼氏杆菌及牛荚膜A型多杀性巴氏杆菌灭活疫苗对小鼠的保护性研究

牛溶血性曼氏杆菌及牛荚膜A型多杀性巴氏杆菌是导致牛呼吸道疾病（bovine respiratory disease,BRD）的重要细菌性病原,每年给养牛业带来巨大的经济损失,目前对其疫苗研究仍显不足。本研究选用牛溶血性曼氏杆菌（Mannheimia haemolytica,Mh） Mh422株和牛荚膜A型多杀性巴氏杆菌（Pasteurella multocida,Pm） PmCQ2株作为疫苗菌株,分别制备了2种菌体浓度的Mh和Pm单价灭活菌苗及3种菌量配比（1∶1、2∶1和3∶1）的Mh-Pm二联灭活苗,以小鼠为模型,皮下多点免疫（0.2 mL）,加强免疫2次,免疫剂量均为首免的一半。首免后第7天及其后每隔5 d,小鼠尾静脉采血分离血清,ELISA方法检测抗体效价,三免后第20天,分别以Mh422或PmCQ2进行腹腔攻毒测定免疫保护效果。结果显示,所有小鼠接种疫苗均无不良反应,二免后第10天抗体达较高水平,三免后抗体水平持续升高,第15天到达高峰,其后25 d维持高水平,后缓慢下降。Mh单菌苗的2种免疫剂量对Mh422株攻毒的免疫保护率均为0,而Pm单菌苗的2种免疫剂量对PmCQ2株攻毒的免疫保护率全为100%;Mh和Pm间无交叉免疫保护作用;3种菌量配比的Mh-Pm二联疫苗对Mh422株和PmCQ2株攻毒的各自免疫保护率分别为53%～71%和100%。该研究结果表明,所制备的Mh422单菌苗对同型攻毒无免疫保护作用,在诱导机体抗体产生方面,Mh和Pm间无相互抑制作用,PmCQ2株具有促进Mh422株灭活疫苗对Mh422的免疫保护作用,这为牛溶血性曼氏杆菌和牛多杀性巴氏杆菌二联疫苗的进一步研究提供了理论基础。     

A 38-kDa protein from Babesia gibsoni and its antibody response in an experimentally infected dog

A cDNA encoding the Babesia bovis 12D3 antigen homologue was obtained by immunoscreening the expression library prepared from Babesia gibsoni merozoite mRNA. The complete nucleotide sequence of the gene was 1406 bp. Computer analysis suggested that the sequence contains an open reading frame of 1052 bp encoding an expected protein with a molecular weight of 36kDa. Based on homology analysis, this putative protein was designated as the B. gibsoni 12D3 antigen (Bg12D3). The Bg12D3 gene was expressed in the Escherichia coli BL21 strain, and the chronically infected dog serum reacted with the recombinant protein. The antiserum against the recombinant Bg12D3 protein can recognize a 38-kDa native protein, which is consistent with its expected size. Moreover, the purified recombinant proteins were used as the antigen to detect the antibody response in an experimentally infected dog by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Our results indicated that the Bg12D3 protein was recognized by the host immune system and that it induced an antibody response in chronic B. gibsoni infection. These results allowed us to identify a new member of the 12D3 antigens and its characteristic immune response in canine B. gibsoni infection.     

The importance of interleukin-8 as a neutrophil chemoattractant in the lungs of cattle with pneumonic pasteurellosis.

Interleukin-8 (IL-8), an in vitro and in vivo neutrophil chemoattractant, is expressed at high levels in the lesions observed in bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis. Because of the role of neutrophils in the pathogenesis of pneumonic pasteurellosis, we investigated the relative importance of IL-8 as a neutrophil chemoattractant in this disease. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was harvested from calves experimentally infected with bovine herpesvirus-1 and challenged with Mannheimia haemolytica. Neutrophil chemotactic activity was measured in pneumonic BAL fluid samples treated with a neutralizing monoclonal antibody to ovine IL-8, and compared to the activity in samples treated with an isotype-matched control antibody. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was analyzed at a dilution which induced a half-maximal response, and the concentrations of antibody were optimized in a preliminary experiment. Following incubation of replicate samples of diluted pneumonic bovine BAL fluid with 70 microg/mL of IL-8-neutralizing antibody or control antibody, the neutrophil chemotactic activities of the samples were determined using an in vitro microchemotaxis assay. Overall, pretreatment of BAL fluid samples with neutralizing anti-IL-8 antibody reduced neutrophil chemotactic activity by 15% to 60%, compared to pretreatment with control antibody. This effect was highly significant (P < 0.001), and was present in 5 of 5 samples. These data indicate that IL-8 is an important neutrophil chemoattractant in calves with pneumonic pasteurellosis, but that mediators with actions redundant to those of IL-8 must also be present in the lesions.     

Experimental studies of chronic pneumonia of sheep

Strains of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae and Pasteurella haemolytica isolated from sheep affected with chronic pneumonia were inoculated by endobronchial route to conventionally-reared and SPF (Specific Pathogen-Free) lambs. Changes resembling those of the naturally-occurring disease were produced in most lambs given the organisms in combination and in some given M. ovipneumoniae alone. Similar but less extensive changes were seen in SPF lambs and fewer animals were affected. Different strains of M. ovipneumoniae did not affect the extent of changes produced in SPF lambs. M. ovipneumoniae became established in the lungs of both types of sheep; P. haemolytica did so less readily.

It was concluded that chronic pneumonia may be reproduced in conventional animals by combined inoculation of M. ovipneumoniae and P. haemolytica. Age and status of immunity to mycoplasmas may account for the different responses of conventional and SPF lambs.     

Cloning and expression of a 30 kDa surface antigen of Pasteurella haemolytica

Pasteurella haemolytica biotype A serotype 1 is the principal etiologic agent of bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis. A clear understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease and the mechanisms of resistance to it has been limited by a lack of information on the important antigens of the organisms. Using recombinant DNA techniques we have cloned a segment of DNA from P. haemolytica A1 that encodes three proteins of 28, 30, and 32 kDa. Two of these proteins, 30 and 28 kDa, react strongly on a Western blot with a bovine serum raised against live cells of P. haemolytica A1. The gene for the 30 kDa protein was localized to a 3.1 kbp EcoRI fragment, and expression of the 30 kDa protein was found to be independent of an E. coli promoter. The 30 kDa protein comigrated with a 30 kDa P. haemolytica protein that was susceptible to radioiodination and presumably exposed on the bacterial cell surface. The other principal radiolabeled P. haemolytica proteins were 100, 45, and 15 kDa. Antibodies against the 30 kDa protein, isolated from E. coli carrying the recombinant plasmid, recognized 30 kDa and 15 kDa proteins in P. haemolytica serotypes 1-15 and caused agglutination of whole P. haemolytica A1 cells. Cattle vaccinated with live P. haemolytica, P. haemolytica outer membrane proteins, or the cloned 30 kDa protein developed antibodies to the cloned 30 kDa protein as detected by Western blotting and densitometry. Sera were obtained from cattle vaccinated with live or killed P. haemolytica or saline and challenged with P. haemolytica. Those sera were evaluated for antibody responses to the cloned 30 kDa protein. High antibody responses to the 30 kDa protein significantly correlated (P less than 0.01) with resistance to challenge. From these studies it is concluded that the 30 kDa protein represents a surface antigen of P. haemolytica A1 that may be important in inducing immunity to P. haemolytica.     

A guinea pig model of bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis.

The induction of pneumonic pasteurellosis in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) was examined. Specific pathogen free male guinea pigs were anesthetized and a tracheostomy performed to introduce 10(5), 10(4) or 10(3) Pasteurella haemolytica-A1 into the left principal bronchus. The surgical site was closed with tissue adhesive and staples and the animals were monitored for signs of respiratory tract infection. Within 24 hours after inoculation they became depressed, anorectic, pyretic and dyspneic. Fibrinous pleuropneumonia with prominent areas of necrosis and hemorrhage was present. Pericardial effusion was a frequent finding. There was infiltration of the pleura and alveoli with degenerate heterophils and macrophages, a hyperplastic mesothelium and fibrin exudation on the pleura and within alveoli. Hemorrhage, congestion, consolidation, edema and fibrin exudation were prominent in the hilar region of the lungs. Bacterial colonies were evident in all airways. More bacteria were recovered from infected lungs than were inoculated (p less than 0.05) indicating P. haemolytica was actively multiplying in the lungs. Hematological and clinical chemistry data were consistent with fibrinous pneumonia, however, blood cultures were positive for P. haemolytica in 61% (11/18) of animals sampled. Examination of pneumonic pasteurellosis in guinea pigs may be useful in studying pathogenetic and pathological features applicable to bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis (shipping fever pneumonia).     

星星草PtGAPDH基因的克隆与表达分析

本试验利用RACE(rapid amplification of cDNA ends)克隆技术从星星草中克隆得到抗盐碱相关基因甘油醛-3-磷酸脱氢酶(GAPDH)的cDNA全长序列,其GeneBank登录号为JX411954。PtGAPDH基因开放阅读框为1014 bp,编码337个氨基酸。该氨基酸序列与高羊茅、大麦、小麦、水稻等禾本科作物具有较高的序列相似性。系统进化分析表明,PtGAPDH基因编码蛋白与单子叶植物的GAPDH具有较近的亲缘关系。Northern杂交分析显示,在一定盐碱胁迫条件下,随着处理试剂Na₂CO₃溶液浓度的增加,PtGAPDH基因在盐碱胁迫下的叶片和根部表达量都显著升高;超过最大耐受量后,PtGAPDH基因表达丰度逐渐降低。PtGAPDH基因的表达模式代表了星星草在盐碱胁迫下其自身的生理生化变化对分子水平上的基因表达丰度产生的影响趋势。     

Evidence of bovine immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) protease activity in partially purified culture supernate of Pasteurella haemolytica A1.

In the bovine respiratory tract, IgG1 is a major secretory immunoglobulin (Ig), and both IgG1 and IgG2 are believed to be important in defense against pneumonic pasteurellosis (shipping fever) in calves. Here we provide evidence for hydrolysis of IgG1 in the presence of partially purified culture supernate (ppCS) from the respiratory pathogen Pasteurella haemolytica A1. Bovine IgG1 was hydrolysed sequentially into three distinct bands (approximately 39, 12, and 7 kDa respectively). Furthermore, partial hydrolysis of bovine IgG2 was observed, but neither bovine IgA nor IgM were affected by incubation with ppCS. These findings suggest that the production of an IgG1-specific protease by P. haemolytica A1 may be a virulence mechanism contributing to the pathogenesis of bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis.     

Prokaryotic Expression and Immunogenicity Analysis of Hemagglutinin-related Outer Membrane Protein from F.necrophorum

In order to analyze the immunogenicity of 120 ku hemagglutinin-related outer membrane protein from F.necrophorum,specific primers were designed to amplify the 3 truncated overlapping gene fragments covering the whole open reading frame (ORF) based on the result of antigenic epitope analysis.The gene fragments were ligated into the prokaryotic expression vector to construct pET-28a-p1,pET-32a-p2 and pET-32a-p3,respectively.Then recombinant plasmid was induced expression in E.coli.The SDS-PAGE results showed that the expression of recombinant proteins P1,P2 and P3,molecular mass of the expressed proteins were about 48,59 and 62 ku,respectively.Western blotting indicated that the recombinant proteins could be recognized by antiserum against F.necrophorum from mouse.Humoral immunity response against recombinant proteins was detected in the immunized rabbits.Altogether,these findings suggested that 120 ku hemagglutinin-related outer membrane protein from F.necrophorum had good immunogenicity,and this study provided a reference for further research on genetic engineering subunit vaccine of F.necrophorum.     

小花碱茅HKT2;1基因全长cDNA的克隆与生物信息学分析

Na⁺是盐渍化土壤中主要的毒害离子,对植物生长发育和农业生产构成严重威胁。高亲和性K⁺转运蛋白HKT2;1在控制高等植物Na⁺吸收,增强K⁺的选择性,进而提高耐盐性方面发挥着重要作用。本研究以拒盐型牧草小花碱茅为材料,采用RT-PCR和RACE(rapid amplification of cDNA ends)方法克隆到HKT2;1基因,并命名为PutHKT2;1。该基因全长1 919 bp,包含1个长1 638 bp的开放阅读框(ORF),编码546个氨基酸,推测分子量为60.5 kDa,等电点PI为9.07。与其他植物HKT2;1氨基酸序列同源性多在66%以上,核苷酸序列同源性都在75%以上。PutHKT2;1可能跨膜11次,二级结构分析表明,PutHKT2;1蛋白含有47.99% α-螺旋、5.13% β-转角、31.87%无规则卷曲和15.01%延伸链。PutHKT2;1基因全长cDNA的克隆及其生物信息学分析为进一步揭示小花碱茅拒盐的分子机制奠定了基础。     

气肿疽梭菌CctA基因的原核表达及其间接ELISA检测方法的建立

研究旨在原核表达气肿疽梭菌细胞毒素A （CctA）基因,用纯化的重组蛋白建立其间接ELISA检测方法,a。利用大肠杆菌密码子的偏爱性优化CctA基因序列,克隆至原核表达载体pET-28a （+）,双酶切鉴定原核表达质粒pET28a-CctA并测序。将重组质粒转入大肠杆菌,经IPTG诱导得到高表达的重组CctA包涵体蛋白。包涵体蛋白变性后经镍（Ni）柱纯化,SDS-PAGE检测其纯化效果。以豚鼠抗气肿疽梭菌抗血清为一抗,用Western blotting方法检测重组CctA蛋白的反应原性。用棋盘滴定法建立间接ELISA检测方法,以复性后的重组CctA蛋白作为检测抗原,摸索抗原包被浓度、封闭液的种类及浓度、抗体的最适稀释度和反应条件等。选用3批气肿疽灭活疫苗免疫豚鼠后采集血清,同时用攻毒和间接ELISA两种方法验证疫苗的免疫效力。质粒双酶切结果显示,得到大小约853 bp的条带,与预期相符,且测序结果正确。SDS-PAGE结果表明,成功表达并纯化大小为35 ku的重组CctA蛋白。Western blotting结果显示,豚鼠抗气肿疽梭菌抗血清与重组CctA蛋白具有良好的反应原性。建立的间接ELISA法的最适条件为：抗原的包被浓度为0.5 μg/mL,于4 ℃包被过夜;封闭液选择10%胎牛血清,37 ℃孵育2 h;二抗的稀释度为1：8 000;室温避光显色10 min后终止反应,测定D_{450 nm}值。当P/N>4.6时,间接ELISA法检测结果与豚鼠攻毒试验结果拟合度较好。本研究成功表达CctA基因并纯化了重组CctA蛋白,建立的以重组CctA蛋白为检测抗原的间接ELISA检测方法,有望成为气肿疽灭活疫苗免疫效果验证的替代方法。     

Deoxynucleotide sequence conservation of the endoflagellin subunit protein gene, flaB, within the genus leptospira

A Polymerase chain reaction was developed to amplify the entire open reading frame of flaB, the gene encoding the endoflagellin subunit protein. The 852 bp amplified products from 23 serovars of the genus Leptospira were subjected to restriction endonuclease analysis and the profiles correlated well with phylogenetic relationships between these serovars. The flaB deoxynucleotide sequences of L. hardjo-bovis, L. hardjo-prajitno and L. grippotyphosa were determined. The deduced primary amino acid sequences of each were highly conserved with only three amino acid residue differences observed. The deoxynucleotide sequences showed genetic drift with alternative bases in the third position of codons. The PCR product derived by amplification of flaB from L. grippotyphosa was cloned into the expression vector pGEX-2T and a recombinant FlaB fusion protein made. As predicted from the deduced amino acid sequences, the recombinant FlaB cross-reacted with heterologous antiserum derived from a rabbit infected with L. hardjo-bovis.     

Molecular heterogeneity of plpE gene in Indian isolates of Pasteurella multocida and expression of recombinant PlpE in vaccine strain of P. multocida serotype B: 2

Outer membrane proteins of Pasteurella (P.) multocida have been known to be protective immunogens. Pasteurella lipoprotein E (PlpE) has been reported to be an important cross reactive outer membrane protein in P. multocida. The gene encoding the PlpE of P. multocida serotypes A: 3, B: 2 and D: 1 was amplified from the genomic DNA. The amplified products were cloned and the nucleotide sequence was determined. Sequence analysis of the recombinant clones revealed a single open reading frame of 1,011 bp, 1,008 bp and 1,017 bp encoding a protein with a calculated molecular mass of 37.829 kDa, 37.389 kDa and 37.965 kDa for serotypes A: 3, B: 2 and D: 1 respectively. The comparison of the plpE sequence in different capsular types revealed a high degree (>90%) of homology. Furthermore, the plpE gene of Haemorhhagic septicaemia causing serotype (B: 2) was expressed in E. coli and recombinant PlpE was strongly immunostained by antiserum against whole cell antigen, indicating that the protein is expressed in vivo.     

The evolution of vaccines for bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis

Since the early 1900s bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis has been recognised as a major economic problem to European and North American cattle industries. Initial attempts to prevent the disease were complicated by incomplete knowledge of the causative organisms. Despite some early reports of vaccine-induced protection against disease, initial vaccines were of questionable protective value. From the late 1950s to the 1970s Pasteurella haemolytica and P multocida bacterins were the primary type of vaccine used commercially and experimentally. When viruses, most notably bovine herpesvirus 1 (infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus) and parainfluenza-3 virus, were found to be associated with bovine respiratory disease, viral vaccines were used in attempts to prevent pneumonic pasteurellosis. Combinations of bacterins and viral vaccines were also developed and evaluated. Collectively, bacterins, viral vaccines and bacterin-virus combinations did not consistently reduce disease in experimental trials or field use. By the 1980s some studies using live vaccines were reportedly successful in reducing the incidence of pneumonic pasteurellosis. Current experimental studies revolve around the identification and incorporation of specific Pasteurella species antigen extracts into vaccines. The efficacy of these new extract vaccines is yet to be determined.     

Characteristics of the molecular diversity of the outer membrane protein A gene of Haemophilus parasuis

The molecular diversity of the gene encoding the outer membrane protein A (OmpA) of Haemophilus parasuis has been unclear. In this study, the structural characteristics, sequence types, and genetic diversity of ompA were investigated in 15 H. parasuis reference strains of different serovars and 20 field isolates. Three nucleotide lengths of the complete open reading frame (ORF) of ompA were found: 1098 base pairs (bp), 1104 bp, and 1110 bp. The OmpA contained 4 hypervariable domains, mainly encoding the 4 putative surface-exposed loops, which makes it a potential molecular marker for genotyping. Western blot analysis showed that the recombinant OmpAs of serovars 4 and 5 could cross-react with antiserum to all 15 serovars. Hence, although ompA of H. parasuis exhibited high variation among serovars, this variation did not seem to affect the strong antigenic characteristics of OmpA.