cel-EIIB蛋白调控罗非鱼无乳链球菌强毒、弱毒株毒力相关基因的表达模式

罗非鱼无乳链球菌纤维二糖-磷酸转移酶系统（cel-PTS）的EIIB蛋白对强毒株毒力影响有限，但对弱毒株毒力似乎存在潜在的影响，但具体机制仍不清晰，有必要弄清该蛋白调控强、弱毒株的毒力相关基因表达模式。在前期研究中，通过同源重组技术，构建了无乳链球菌强毒株cel-EIIB基因缺失株，本研究通过类似的方法，获得弱毒株该基因的缺失株。用无乳链球菌强毒、弱毒株及它们的cel-EIIB缺失株分别感染斑马鱼，结果显示，cel-EIIB缺失后，导致弱毒株毒力明显返强，而强毒株毒力则轻微减弱。qPCR检测发现，cel-EIIB缺失可致cel-PTS系统的cel-EIIA、双组分信号转导系统（TCS）的DltR和CiaH以及毒力基因sodA、cpsD和cpsG在强、弱毒株中呈现相反的表达模式；此外，TCS系统的RgfC、DltS和CsrR以及毒力基因cspA和pavA在强毒突变株中表达未受影响，但在弱毒突变株中的表达却显著上调。研究揭示，EIIB蛋白可能通过调控上述毒力相关基因表达而负调控弱毒菌株的毒力。     

尼罗罗非鱼无乳链球菌基因缺失株ΔcpsE和ΔneuA的构建及其生物学特性

为探究尼罗罗非鱼无乳链球菌(GBS)荚膜多糖合成基因cpsE和neuA对菌株生物学特性的影响,本研究利用同源重组的方法,构建了GBS的cpsE与neuA的单基因缺失突变株。具体方法为:用Infusion-PCR的方法分别构建带有氯霉素抗性基因的cpsE与neuA基因敲除重组质粒pSET4s-cpsE和pSET4s-neuA。将构建好的质粒电转化入GBS感受态细胞中,通过改变培养温度实现双交换和质粒丢失,最后经氯霉素抗性筛选获得疑似敲除株。通过菌落PCR、RT-PCR及DNA测序等方法对疑似敲除株进行验证。结果显示GBS的两个突变株ΔcpsE和ΔneuA被成功构建。在此基础上,通过生物学功能分析比较基因缺失突变株ΔcpsE、ΔneuA与野生株在菌株生长速率、荚膜多糖厚度、唾液酸含量和毒力方面的差异。结果发现缺失突变株ΔcpsE和ΔneuA的生长速度与野生株无显著差异,但荚膜多糖厚度、唾液酸含量和菌株毒力均显著低于野生株。进一步研究显示,cpsE是鱼源GBS荚膜多糖合成的关键基因,neuA基因则是荚膜多糖唾液酸化的关键基因,它们的缺失导致了GBS荚膜唾液酸含量的降低,且显著降低了菌株的毒力。     

BALB/c小鼠用于评价尼罗罗非鱼无乳链球菌毒力的研究

实验采用BALB/c小鼠作为实验动物,旨在建立尼罗罗非鱼无乳链球菌毒力测定的BALB/c小鼠模型。BALB/c小鼠经腹腔注射尼罗罗非鱼源无乳链球菌建立感染模型,比较了尼罗罗非鱼源无乳链球菌分别感染尼罗罗非鱼和小鼠的LD_(50)差异,分别测定了不同毒力尼罗罗非鱼无乳链球菌对尼罗罗非鱼和小鼠的毒力。结果显示,小鼠经腹腔注射无乳链球菌,在24 h内出现死亡现象,且对小鼠脑、肝脏、脾脏、肾脏等组织造成损伤。3次测定尼罗罗非鱼无乳链球菌TFJ0901对尼罗罗非鱼和小鼠LD_(50)分别为7.7×10~7、2.2×10~8、3.5×10~9 CFU/mL和405、361、419 CFU/只。将无乳链球菌TFJ0901和THN0901感染尼罗罗非鱼(1.0×10~7 CFU/mL)和小鼠(100 CFU/只),尼罗罗非鱼和小鼠存活率分别为100%、6.7%±5.8%和100%、0,其存活率都具有显著性差异。将无乳链球菌TFJ0901和TFJ-F感染尼罗罗非鱼(3.0×10~8 CFU/mL)和小鼠(2 500 CFU/只),尼罗罗非鱼的存活率分别为73.3%±11.5%和80.0%±10.0%,存活率差异不显著,小鼠存活率分别为13.3%±11.5%和100.0%,存活率具有显著性差异。研究表明,本实验成功建立了BALB/c小鼠作为尼罗罗非鱼源无乳链球菌毒力测定的稳定模型,测定不同毒力的尼罗罗非鱼源无乳链球菌对小鼠毒力与对尼罗罗非鱼毒力一致,且该模型能够区分尼罗罗非鱼模型难以区分的毒力相近的无乳链球菌。     

海南无乳链球菌的毒力基因与耐药特性分析

无乳链球菌可感染人与其他动物,是一种重要的致病菌。为探明海南地区无乳链球菌的毒力基因携带率及耐药情况,以2017年间实验室所采集鉴定的18株无乳链球菌(人源4株,鱼源14株)为样本,利用PCR技术和抗菌药物药敏纸片进行毒力基因、耐药基因的扩增和药物敏感性的检测,结果发现,常见毒力基因阳性检出率较高,其中有11种毒力基因均100%携带,另外3种基因阳性率也超过66.7%;耐药基因扩增结果显示,除四环素类和氨基糖苷类耐药基因均呈阴性以外,其余耐药基因阳性检出率较高(44.4%~100%);而药敏检测显示,无乳链球菌对β-内酰胺类、大环内酯类、林可胺类抗生素耐药性高,而对于氨基糖苷类、喹诺酮类、四环素类抗生素敏感性高。总体上,药敏情况和耐药基因的检测结果一致。研究结果发现,分离得到的不同来源的无乳链球菌中毒力基因检出频率高,耐药性强,需要引起高度重视,试验结果将为无乳链球菌的防治提供重要的参考。     

西伯利亚鲟停乳链球菌的分离、鉴定与致病性

从患暴发性流行病的两伯利亚鲟(Acipenser baerii)肝脏和心脏中各分离到1株细菌,分离纯化后获得2个分离株,编号分别为AeBF070904、AbHT070912,对分离菌进行了菌株鉴定、致病性分析及药敏实验.分别应用常规生理生化鉴定、全自动细菌测定卡API 20 STREP和ID 32STREP进行检测,结果表明,2个分离株均为停乳链球菌(Streptococcus dysgalactiae).对2个分离株的16S rRNA基因进行PCR扩增和测序,并与GenBank中收录的链球菌16S rRNA基因进行序列分析并构建系统进化树,结果显示,2个分离株的16S rRNA基因序列相同,与停乳链球菌同源性最高达97.3%,在系统进化树上与停乳链球菌聚为一簇,进一步确认2个分离株均为停乳链球菌.从人工感染后发病鱼的内脏组织再分离的细菌特性与原感染菌相同,确认停乳链球菌是西伯利亚鲟的致病菌.2个分离株对两伯利亚鲟、杂交鲟及剑尾鱼均有致死毒性,37℃培养的细菌毒力比28℃培养的细菌毒力强.2个分离株均对青霉素、诺氟沙星等7种药物敏感;对头孢唑啉、庆大霉素等2种药物耐受;对红霉素巾等敏感;对卡那霉素等8种药物菌株之间出现差异.     

中国罗非鱼主养区无乳链球菌的分子流行特征及其传播方式

为分析2007—2015年中国罗非鱼主养区无乳链球菌(Streptococcus agalactiae)的分子特征和流行情况,分离并收集了248株罗非鱼源无乳链球菌。通过分子血清型、MLST、毒力基因和前噬菌体等分型方法对248株无乳链球菌进行了分子遗传特征分析。结果表明,229株无乳链球菌(92.3%)的分子血清型是Ⅰa型,其余19株均是Ⅰb型(7.7%)。MLST分析结果表明,所有Ⅰa型无乳链球菌都是ST7型,所有Ⅰb型无乳链球菌都是ST261型。毒力基因检测结果发现,229株Ⅰa-ST7型无乳链球菌的毒力基因型相同,即V1型;19株Ⅰb-ST261型无乳链球菌的毒力基因型相同,即V2型。前噬菌体检测结果表明,Ⅰa-ST7型无乳链球菌可分为两种前噬菌体基因型,分别是P1型(36株)和P2型(193株);Ⅰb-ST261型无乳链球菌的10个前噬菌体基因都是阴性,即P3型。根据以上4种分子分型方法可将248株无乳链球菌分为3种基因型,即Ⅰa-ST7-V1-P1型、Ⅰa-ST7-V1-P2型和Ⅰb-ST261-V2-P3型。2010—2011年主要流行菌株由Ⅰa-ST7-V1-P1型转变为Ⅰa-ST7-V1-P2型,其中Ⅰa-ST7-V1-P1型是2011年之前的主要流行菌株,Ⅰa-ST7-V1-P2型在2011年及之后成为主要流行菌株。研究表明,近年来我国罗非鱼源无乳链球菌发生了明显的遗传变异,同时,根据我国罗非鱼主养区无乳链球菌的流行特点,推测我国罗非鱼源无乳链球菌是通过苗种或水体等介质进行传播的,属于输入性传播方式。     

罗非鱼源无乳链球菌ZQ0910转录调控因子rovS基因的克隆及表达研究

为了对罗非鱼源无乳链球菌ZQ0910株毒力相关转录调控因子rovS进行克隆及表达研究,实验根据GenBank上登录的相关基因设计引物,采用PCR方法扩增该株细菌的rovS基因,然后将该基因定向克隆到原核表达载体pET-28a(+)中,在大肠杆菌Rosetta(DE3)中进行IPTG诱导表达.结果显示,该基因有849个碱基,编码282个氨基酸;同源基因序列比对显示,无乳链球菌ZQ0910株与无乳链球菌2603 V与ATCC13813的rovS基因的同源性最高;经IPTG诱导后表达的融合蛋白分子量为34 ku;用亲和层析后的融合蛋白免疫新西兰大白兔制备多克隆抗体,经ELISA检测效价达到1∶512000.研究结果表明,实验成功克隆与表达了rovS基因,为深入探讨RovS调节因子在调节细菌的代谢、生长和毒力等多种生命活动中的作用提供了理论依据.     

尼罗罗非鱼无乳链球菌基因缺失株I>cpsE和I>neuA的构建及其生物学特性

为探究尼罗罗非鱼无乳链球菌(GBS)荚膜多糖合成基因cpsE和neuA对菌株生物学特性的影响,本研究利用同源重组的方法,构建了GBS的cpsE与neuA的单基因缺失突变株.具体方法为:用Infusion-PCR的方法分别构建带有氯霉素抗性基因的cpsE与neuA基因敲除重组质粒pSET4s-cpsE和pSET4s-neuA.将构建好的质粒电转化入GBS感受态细胞中,通过改变培养温度实现双交换和质粒丢失,最后经氯霉素抗性筛选获得疑似敲除株.通过菌落PCR、RT-PCR及DNA测序等方法对疑似敲除株进行验证.结果显示GBS的两个突变株△cpsE和△neuA被成功构建.在此基础上,通过生物学功能分析比较基因缺失突变株△cpsE、△neuA与野生株在菌株生长速率、荚膜多糖厚度、唾液酸含量和毒力方面的差异.结果发现缺失突变株△cpsE和△neuA的生长速度与野生株无显著差异,但荚膜多糖厚度、唾液酸含量和菌株毒力均显著低于野生株.进一步研究显示,cpsE是鱼源GBS荚膜多糖合成的关键基因,neuA基因则是荚膜多糖唾液酸化的关键基因,它们的缺失导致了GBS荚膜唾液酸含量的降低,且显著降低了菌株的毒力.     

溶藻弧菌双组分调控系统KdpDE减毒活疫苗的构建及其免疫效果评价

为了研究溶藻弧菌双组分调控系统KdpDE减毒活疫苗对鱼体的免疫保护作用,本研究采用Overlap PCR和同源重组技术,构建了kdpD/kdpE（kdpDE）基因无标记基因框内敲除突变株。对野生株和缺失突变株的生物学特性及致病性进行了比较研究,发现kdpDE的缺失对溶藻弧菌的生长速率和胞外蛋白酶活性的影响不明显,但是突变株的泳动能力、生物被膜形成能力较野生株下降。斑马鱼致病性实验结果显示,突变株毒力下降78.5倍,表明减毒株构建成功,可以作为减毒活疫苗的候选菌株。突变株在鱼体内存活能力实验结果显示,注射免疫7 d后,鱼体内不能检测到该菌。以突变株ΔkdpDE为抗原,分别用注射和浸泡的方式免疫斑马鱼,免疫后第28天用溶藻弧菌和哈维氏弧菌攻毒,评估该减毒活疫苗及不同免疫方式对斑马鱼的保护效果。实验结果表明,免疫后的斑马鱼能够抵抗溶藻弧菌的感染,其中注射免疫组的免疫保护率达83.3%,浸泡免疫组次之（66.7%）;同时,该减毒活疫苗能刺激斑马鱼对哈维氏弧菌产生交叉保护效应,其中注射免疫组的免疫保护率为65.5%,浸泡免疫组为55.2%。以上结果表明,kdpDE基因敲除突变株可能是抵抗溶藻弧菌感染的有效的候选减毒活疫苗。     

鲫源嗜水气单胞菌毒力基因多重PCR检测及ERIC-PCR分子分型

为快速了解鲫源嗜水气单胞菌株毒力基因携带情况及与菌株基因型的相关性,建立多重PCR法和ERIC-PCR分子分型,为临床快速检测、菌株分型和菌株致病性分析提供依据。通过单重PCR法检测出标准菌株ATCC7966内5个毒力基因气溶素(aerolysin,aer)、溶血素(hemolysin,hly)、细胞毒性肠毒素(cytotoxic enterotoxin,alt)、胞外蛋白酶(extracellular protease,ahp)和细胞肠兴奋性肠毒素(intestinal cells of excitatory enterotoxin,act),其扩增产物长度依次为300 bp、592 bp、442 bp、856 bp和500 bp。在此基础上,优化并建立特异性高,敏感度达7.2×102cfu·m L-1多重PCR法,用于检测从江苏射阳地区患病水产动物体内分离的17株嗜水气单胞菌5个毒力基因携带率。结果显示,毒力基因act的携带率为100%,而80%的菌株5个毒力基因均有检出。采用ERIC-PCR分子分型技术,以标准菌株ATCC7966为对照,对17株鲫源致病性嗜水气单胞菌进行基因分型,获得两种基因型,分别描述为A型和B型,其中B型菌株14株,带型与ATCC7966一致,认为是当地的主要流行株。探究菌株基因型与毒力基因分布相关性,携带5个毒力基因的均为B型菌株,而所有A型菌株存在一或多个毒力基因缺失,有可能是此类菌株更易发生毒力基因漂变,但还需进一步研究。     

Capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus agalactiae is an essential virulence factor for infection in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus Linn.)

Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus, GBS) is associated with diverse diseases in aquatic animals. The capsule polysaccharide (CPS) encoded by the cps gene cluster is the major virulence factor of S. agalactiae; however, limited information is available regarding the pathogenic role of the CPS of serotype Ia piscine GBS strains in fish. Here, a non‐encapsulated mutant (Δcps) was constructed by insertional mutagenesis of the cps gene cluster. Mutant pathogenicity was evaluated in vitro based on the killing of whole blood from tilapia, in vivo infections, measuring mutant survival in tilapia spleen tissues and pathological analysis. Compared to wild‐type (WT) GBS strain, the Δcps mutant had lower resistance to fresh tilapia whole blood in vitro (p < 0.01), and more easily cleared in tilapia spleen tissue, and was highly attenuated in tilapia and zebrafish. Additionally, compared to the Δcps mutant, numerous GBS strains and severe tissue necrosis were observed in the tilapia spleen tissue infected with WT strains. These results indicated that the CPS is essential for GBS pathogenicity and may serve as a target for attenuation in vaccine development. Gaining a better understanding of the role, the GBS pathogenicity in fish will provide insight into related pathogenesis and host–pathogen interactions.     

Maternal immunity of tilapia broodstock vaccinated with polyvalent vaccine and resistance of their offspring against Streptococcus agalactiae

This study aimed to examine the use of Streptococcus agalactiae polyvalent vaccine in tilapia broodstock and the effect of maternal immunity and resistance on their offspring against S. agalactiae strain. The broodstock was injected with polyvalent vaccine of S. agalactiae at a dose of 10⁸ CFU per fish at 2nd gonadal maturity until spawning. Challenge test was carried out on the offspring at the 5, 10, 15 and 20 days after hatching using NK₁, N₁₇O, N₁₄G, N₃M, N₄M strain respectively and combination of them. We observed immunological parameters in broodstock, eggs and larvae and relative per cent survival (RPS) of larvae after challenged with pathogenic S. agalactiae. The results showed that the leukocytes, phagocytic activity, respiratory burst, lysozyme activity and antibody levels of vaccinated broodstock had higher level compared with unvaccinated broodstock. The high level of the lysozyme activity, antibody levels and recombination activating gene 1 (RAG1) were also observed in eggs and larvae from vaccinated broodstock. Larvae produced from vaccinated broodstock when challenged with variety strain of pathogenic S. agalactiae had RPS value more than 50% until 20 days after hatching. In conclusion, polyvalent vaccine of S. agalactiae administrated in the broodstock could enhance immunity in the broodstock and protect their offspring from pathogenic S. agalactiae.     

Pathogenic characterization of Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. masoucida turbot isolate from China

Aeromonas salmonicida is a gram-negative bacterium that is the causative agent of furunculosis. An A. salmonicida strain was isolated from diseased turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) with the sign of furunculosis from North China. Based on vapA gene, the strain was further classified as A. salmonicida subsp. masoucida RZ6S-1. Culturing RZ6S-1 strain at high temperature (28°C) obtained the virulence attenuated strain RZ6S. Genome sequence comparison between the two strains revealed the loss of the type IV secretion system (T4SS) and type III secretion system (T3SS) from the native plasmid pAsmB-1 and pAsmC-1 of wild-type strain RZ6S-1, respectively. Further study demonstrated that the wild-type strain RZ6S-1, but not its derivative mutant RZ6S, can stimulate apoptosis. Elevated protein level of cleaved caspase-3 was detected from epithelioma papulosum cyprinid (EPC) cells infected with wild-type strain RZ6S-1 as compared with that infected with RZ6S strain. Meanwhile, the invasion of the mutant strain RZ6S was about 17-fold higher than the wild-type strain RZ6S-1, suggesting that some protein(s) from A. salmonicida subsp. masoucida RZ6S-1 suppress its invasion. The RZ6S mutant strain was attenuated, since its LD₅₀ is over 10,000 times higher compared to the wild-type strain as revealed in the turbot infection model.     

拟态弧菌OmpU蛋白的黏附功能及所介导的致病作用

为了探明拟态弧菌OmpU蛋白的黏附功能,利用同源重组技术敲除基因组中OmpU基因,并构建其互补株,再经组合PCR方法和序列测定,证实了OmpU基因的缺失和互补。对野生株、缺失株和互补株进行了遗传稳定性、生长特性、生化特性、细胞黏附性、致病性等方面比较研究。结果显示,缺失株具有遗传稳定性;在相同的培养条件下,与野生株相比,突变株的培养特性和生化特性没有明显变化,生长速率略减慢,对实验草鱼的毒力降低了4倍,对鲤上皮瘤细胞(EPC)的黏附能力显著降低,下降了66.6%,而互补株的黏附能力和毒力又得到恢复,与野生株无明显差异。研究首次确证了拟态弧菌OmpU蛋白具有黏附功能,OmpU蛋白通过黏附参与致病作用。     

Virulence regulation of cel‐EIIB protein mediated PTS system in Streptococcus agalactiae in Nile tilapia

Streptococcus agalactiae is a major pathogen of tilapia causing significant economic losses for the global aquatic industry yearly. To elucidate the role of cel‐EIIB protein‐mediated phosphotransferase systems (PTS) in the virulence regulation of S. agalactiae, cel‐EIIB gene deletion in a virulent strain THN0901 was achieved by homologous recombination. The cellobiose utilization of △cel‐EIIB strain was significantly decreased relative to S.a.THN0901 strain incubating in LB with 10 mg/ml cellobiose (p < 0.05). The biofilm formation ability of △cel‐EIIB strain was also significantly decreased when cultured in BHI medium (p < 0.05). Under a lower infection dose, the accumulative mortality of tilapia caused by △cel‐EIIB strain was dramatically decreased (20%), of which S.a.THN0901 strain and △cel‐EIIB::i strain were 53.33% and 50%, respectively. The competition experience using tilapia model indicated the invasion and colonization ability of △cel‐EIIB strain was significantly weaker than that of S.a.THN0901 strain (p < 0.05). Compared to △cel‐EIIB::i strain, the mRNA expression of csrS, csrR, rgfA, rgfC, bgrR and bgrS was significantly downregulated in △cel‐EIIB strain (p < 0.05). In conclusion, cel‐EIIB protein‐mediated cel‐PTS not only contributes to biofilm formation and virulence regulation, but also plays an important role in the invasion and colonization of S. agalactiae.     

Effects of open- and closed-system temperature changes on blood O2-binding characteristics of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus)

We investigated the effects of open- and closed-system temperature changes on the O₂ affinity of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) blood using in vitro methods essentially identical to those previously employed on tropical tuna species. Bluefin tuna blood has a general O₂ affinity (P ₅₀ = 2.6–3.1 kPa or 19–23 mm Hg at 0.5% CO₂) similar to that of skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna, and kawakawa blood (P ₅₀ = 2.8–3.1 kPa at 0.5% CO₂) but significantly above that of bigeye tuna blood (P ₅₀ = 1.6–2.0 kPa at 0.5% CO₂). We therefore hypothesize that bluefin tuna are less tolerant of hypoxia than bigeye tuna. Further, we found the P ₅₀ of bluefin tuna blood to be slightly reduced by a 10°C open-system temperature increase (e.g., from 4.83 kPa at 15°C to 3.95 kPa at 25°C) and to be completely unaffected by a 10°C closed-system temperature change. Bluefin tuna blood, therefore, had a significantly reduced Bohr effect when subjected to the inevitable changes in P CO ₂ and plasma pH that accompany closed-system temperature shifts (0.04–0.09 Δlog P₅₀ΔpH⁻¹) compared with the effects of changes in plasma pH accomplished by changing P CO ₂ alone (0.81–0.94 Δlog P₅₀ Δ pH⁻¹). This response is similar to that of skipjack tuna blood, but different from yellowfin or bigeye tuna blood. During closed-system temperature changes at oxygen levels above P ₅₀, however, bluefin tuna blood showed a reversed temperature effect (i.e., P O ₂ decreased in response to an increase in temperature). Unlike in other tuna species, temperature effects on O₂ affinity of bluefin tuna whole blood were similar to those previously reported for hemoglobin solutions, suggesting that red cell-mediated ligand changes are not involved.     

Genomic comparison of virulent and non‐virulent Streptococcus agalactiae in fish

Streptococcus agalactiae infections in fish are predominantly caused by beta‐haemolytic strains of clonal complex (CC) 7, notably its namesake sequence type (ST) 7, or by non‐haemolytic strains of CC552, including the globally distributed ST260. In contrast, CC23, including its namesake ST23, has been associated with a wide homeothermic and poikilothermic host range, but never with fish. The aim of this study was to determine whether ST23 is virulent in fish and to identify genomic markers of fish adaptation of S. agalactiae. Intraperitoneal challenge of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus), showed that ST260 is lethal at doses down to 10² cfu per fish, whereas ST23 does not cause disease at 10⁷ cfu per fish. Comparison of the genome sequence of ST260 and ST23 with those of strains derived from fish, cattle and humans revealed the presence of genomic elements that are unique to subpopulations of S. agalactiae that have the ability to infect fish (CC7 and CC552). These loci occurred in clusters exhibiting typical signatures of mobile genetic elements. PCR‐based screening of a collection of isolates from multiple host species confirmed the association of selected genes with fish‐derived strains. Several fish‐associated genes encode proteins that potentially provide fitness in the aquatic environment.     

CD40 induces an antimicrobial response against the intracellular pathogen Streptococcus agalactiae in Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

Streptococcus agalactiae is a Gram‐positive facultative intracellular bacterium that leads to severe economic loss of tilapia worldwide. Previous studies demonstrated that CD40 contributes to host protection against intracellular injection. In this study, CD40 was characterized from Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), named OnCD40. Sequence analysis showed that open reading frame of OnCD40 was 933 bp, containing a single peptide, a transmembrane domain and four cysteine‐rich domains. The qRT‐PCR revealed that OnCD40 was expressed in all examined tissues with the most abundant ones in spleen and thymus. After S. agalactiae stimulation, the expression of OnCD40 was significantly induced in most of the detected organs. Moreover, OnCD40‐overexpressing fish elicited significant protection against subsequent S. agalactiae challenge; approximately 10000‐fold fewer bacteria were detected in spleen of OnCD40‐overexpressing fish in comparison with control fish. Thus, CD40 had protecting function in Nile tilapia against intracellular pathogens.