中药黄芪多糖的免疫佐剂作用

分别将黄芪多糖提取物、白油-吐温、氢氧化铝作为佐剂制备金黄色葡萄球菌灭活苗混合免疫家兔和奶牛,观察家兔免疫前后血清抗体滴度变化以及攻毒后白细胞数目变化和淋巴细胞百分比变化。对奶牛免疫后测其血清抗体和乳汁中体细胞数变化,结果注射疫苗后乳汁中体细胞数都有所下降,黄芪多糖组较其它组下降较快,幅度较大。黄芪多糖和抗原混合物免疫动物后未见不良反应,且抗原免疫血清抗体比氢氧化铝和白油-吐温佐剂组的抗体滴度增加快,幅度显著增高且抗体维持一个较高水平,而攻毒后家兔白细胞数和淋巴细胞数也较氢氧化铝和白油-吐温佐剂组增加较多。因此黄芪多糖是一种有效的佐剂。     

金黄色葡萄球菌苗不同免疫部位免疫效果试验

用临床奶牛乳房炎患牛乳汁分离的金黄色葡萄球菌制成弗氏佐剂的灭活苗,分别于后海穴、肌肉、皮下对家兔、奶牛免疫,观察不同免疫部位对家兔、奶牛免疫功能的影响.定期做ELISA实验测血抗,对家兔免疫后攻毒测其白细胞数和淋巴细胞数变化,及疫苗对家兔的保护力,结果穴位免疫组血清抗体滴度增长较快且能较长时间维持较高抗体滴度,三组比较攻毒后白细胞数、淋巴细胞数、淋巴细胞百分比,穴位免疫组均高于皮下、肌肉组,较对照组差异显著.对奶牛免疫后测其血清抗体和乳汁中体细胞数变化,结果注射疫苗后乳汁中体细胞数都有所下降,后海穴组较其它组下降较快,幅度较大.试验表明后海穴接种效果优于常规部位免疫接种效果,是疫苗免疫较为理想的免疫部位.     

猪囊虫TS21抗原DNA接种小鼠的免疫应答

将40只BALB／c小鼠随机分为2组，A组以VR1020免疫作为对照，B组以TS2l抗原基因的真核表达型质粒VTS2l免疫。用ELISA检测免疫小鼠IgG总量和特异性抗体水平，MTT比色法检测小鼠脾淋巴细胞伴刀豆蛋白A(ConA)刺激的增殖反应及IL—2的谤生活性，常规法检测外周血免疫细胞数量的动态变化。结果显示，VTS2l免疫小鼠血清的IgG含量和特异性抗体效价显著高于对照组小鼠；免疫小鼠脾淋巴细胞ConA刺激增殖反应和IL—2诱生活性均比对照组小鼠显著增强；免疫小鼠的淋巴细胞、巨噬细胞等免疫细胞的数量也显著超过对照组。免疫小鼠的细胞和体液免疫反应显著增强，表明VTS2l具有很强的免疫激活作用，有进一步研制开发成为猪囊虫病DNA疫苗的潜力。     

鹰嘴豆芽素A免疫佐剂作用试验

为了探讨鹰嘴豆芽素A(BioA)的免疫佐剂效果,分别将BioA以及氢氧化铝胶(Alum)作为佐剂和鸡卵清白蛋白(OVA)抗原联合免疫ICR小鼠,二次免疫后2周采血和取脾脏,观察免疫前后血清OVA诱导特异性抗体及亚类含量变化、细胞因子水平,淋巴细胞在抗原刺激下的体外细胞增殖反应以及外周血CD4~+和CD8~+ T细胞表达。结果显示,BioA和抗原混合物免疫小鼠后,未见不良反应;100μg BioA组小鼠血清抗体IgG、IgG1和IgG2a水平显著高于OVA组(P0.05或P0.01);100μg BioA免疫小鼠受刀豆蛋白A(ConA)、脂多糖(LPS)和OVA刺激产生的淋巴细胞体外增殖能力显著高于OVA组(P0.05或P0.01);100μg BioA组小鼠血清细胞因子IL-2、IL-4、IFN-γ和TNF-α浓度显著高于OVA组(P0.05);BioA显著提高CD4~+T细胞数量和提高CD4~+/CD8~+值(P0.01)。表明BioA是一种能同时激活Th1和Th2型免疫反应的免疫佐剂。     

奶牛乳房炎无乳链球菌Fc-Sip和金黄色葡萄球菌Fc-FnBPB-ClfA亚单位疫苗的免疫试验研究

为探究由IgG FcRn介导奶牛乳房炎无乳链球菌(S. agalactiae,Sgc)和金黄色葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus aureus,Sau)保护性抗原亚单位疫苗的免疫效果,在本实验室前期研究基础上,本研究按体积11的比例将Sgc的Fc-Sip和Sau的Fc-FnBPB-ClfA两种蛋白分别与1%的盐酸左旋咪唑(1%LH)充分混合,制备两种亚单位疫苗。将即将干奶(妊娠220 d)、CMT试验为"++"以上的奶牛随机分为4组,分别将Fc-Sip+Fc-FnBPB-ClfA二联亚单位疫苗(A组)、Fc-Sip亚单位疫苗(B组)、Fc-FnBPB-ClfA亚单位疫苗(C组)通过首次肌肉免疫和二次乳头管灌注免疫方式进行免疫试验。通过免疫前后对乳样细菌分离、体细胞数测定及免疫血清抗体滴度测定,评价上述亚单位疫苗的免疫效果。结果显示,免疫前免疫组(A、B、C)奶牛的乳样细菌分离率分别为80%、90%、80%,其中Sgc检出率分别为20%、30%、10%,Sau检出率分别为30%、20%、10%;首免90 d后3个免疫组奶牛乳样细菌分离率分别降至20%、20%、40%,其中Sgc的检出率分别降至0、0、10%,Sau的检出率分别降至10%、10%、0,对照组免疫前后以上各项检测无明显变化。使用利拉伐牛奶体细胞检测仪检测免疫前后试验奶牛乳样中的体细胞数,免疫前免疫组(A、B、C)奶牛体细胞数均值分别为6.19×105个/mL、5.16×105个/mL、5.49×105个/mL,首免90 d后3个免疫组奶牛乳样中体细胞数均值分别为2.05×105个/mL、2.04×105个/mL、2. 52×105个/mL,而对照组奶牛乳样体细胞数与免疫前无明显变化。检测首免后0、7 d、14 d、28 d、60 d、90 d的血清抗体滴度,结果显示,首免后7 d,免疫组(A、B、C)80%的奶牛血清抗体滴度为11 024;第14 d后,免疫组(A、B、C)90%奶牛血清抗体滴度达到12 048;第28 d后,免疫组(A、B、C)80%奶牛血清抗体滴度在14 096～18 192,比对照组平均上升3～4个抗体滴度,对照组奶牛血清抗体滴度一直保持在1256～1512。综合分析以上试验结果显示免疫A组(Fc-Sip+Fc-FnBPB-ClfA)综合免疫效果在各免疫组中最佳。本研究结果表明Fc-Sip+Fc-FnBPB-ClfA二联亚单位疫苗对无乳链球菌和金黄色葡萄球菌性奶牛乳房炎具有较好的治疗和预防作用,为奶牛隐形乳房炎的防治提供了实验依据。     

ZE515对CP5型金黄色葡萄球菌疫苗的佐剂作用

前期研究表明一种含人参皂甙的植物油佐剂ZE515对口蹄疫疫苗具有佐剂作用,本研究探讨该佐剂对荚膜多糖CP5型金黄色葡萄球菌(S.aureus)疫苗的佐剂作用。将ZE515和灭活的金黄色葡萄球菌抗原乳化制备成疫苗,ICR小鼠皮下注射疫苗免疫2次,二免后3周采血制备血清,检测血清抗体及其亚类、细胞因子IL-5和IFN-γ,取脾脏检测淋巴细胞增殖指数(SI),并对免疫鼠腹腔注射S.aureus活菌进行攻毒保护性试验。结果显示,ZE515能显著增强抗体及其亚类的免疫应答(P0.05),提高淋巴细胞增殖指数(P0.05),提升血清IL-5和IFN-γ表达水平(P0.05)。ZE515对S.aureus疫苗的佐剂作用显著强于常规铝胶佐剂,含ZE515的疫苗对S.aureus强毒攻毒的保护率为75%,而含铝胶佐剂的疫苗保护率只有50%,表明ZE515对S.aureus疫苗具佐剂作用,值得进一步研究。     

九种中药成分对体外培养小鼠淋巴细胞功能的影响

为进一步探索黄芪多糖等9种中药成分免疫增强活性的作用机理并比较各成分之间免疫增强活性的强弱，在体内试验的基础上，用脾淋巴细胞增殖反应和抗体夹心酶联免疫吸附试验测定了它们对体外培养的小鼠淋巴细胞功能的影响。结果表明，人参皂甙、蜂胶黄酮、黄芪多糖、淫羊藿黄酮、淫羊藿多糖都能显著地直接或协同ConA刺激脾和外周血淋巴细胞增殖，也能显著增加LPS诱导的脾淋巴细胞增殖活性和显著升高体外培养的小鼠脾淋巴细胞产生的IgG水平；当归多糖能协同ConA和LPS的诱导活性，提高小鼠脾淋巴细胞体外培养系统的IgG水平；黄芪皂甙能直接和协同LPS刺激淋巴细胞增殖，板蓝根多糖则仅能促进LPS的诱导活性，蜂胶多糖的作用则均不明显。     

几种中药成分的免疫增强活性及其作用效果

测定了黄芪多糖等9种中药成分对正常小鼠脾和外周血淋巴细胞增殖反应的影响，并观察了这些中药成分对兔瘟组织灭活疫苗的增强免疫效果。结果表明，人参皂甙、黄芪多糖、淫羊藿多糖、当归多糖和蜂胶黄酮能显著增强伴刀豆球蛋白(ConA)和脂多糖(LPS)诱导的小鼠淋巴细胞增殖，提高免疫兔抗体水平和延长抗体持续时间；板蓝根多糖能增强ConA和LPS的诱导活性，蜂胶多糖能促进ConA的诱导活性，黄芪皂甙和淫羊藿黄酮能促进LPS诱导的淋巴细胞增殖，但它们都不能提高兔瘟组织灭活疫苗的免疫抗体水平。     

奶牛金黄色葡萄球菌2种抗体检测方法的建立及比较

用超声波处理的金黄色葡萄球菌抗原和灭活的菌体抗原，初步建立了2种检测奶牛金黄色葡萄球菌抗体的检测方法：酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）和玻片凝集试验，并用建立的检测方法对已知免疫背景的血清样品进行检测。结果显示，ELISA的阳性检出率为60．5％（50/87），玻片凝集试验的阳性检出率为56．2％（49/87），两者总符合率为82．8％（72/87）。表明两种方法均可用于奶牛金黄色葡萄球菌抗体的检测，其中ELISA检测方法更敏感。     

禽霍乱免疫母鸡血清抗体和蛋黄抗体消长规律及其相互关系的研究

通过对禽霍乱菌苗免疫产蛋母鸡的血清和蛋黄的抗体定时检测后发现，免疫母鸡的血清抗体和蛋黄抗体的升降趋势基本一致（ｒ＝０．９４），但后者较前者迟后３～６ｄ；血清抗体和蛋黄抗体的滴度分别在加强免疫后的１～３ｄ和３～６ｄ都有不同程度下降，加强免疫前的滴度越高，免疫后的滴度下降幅度越大；蛋黄抗体水平普遍比血清抗体水平低，两者间的差异极显著（Ｐ＜０．０１），这可能是与禽多杀性巴氏杆菌本身的主要抗原成分（ＴＩ抗原）在鸡体内主要产金ＩｇＭ有关。     

Adjuvant effect of ginseng extracts on the immune responses to immunisation against Staphylococcus aureus in dairy cattle

A crude ginseng extract (GS) and the purified ginsenoside R(b1) (R(b1)) were evaluated for their adjuvant effects in dairy cattle at immunisation with ovalbumin (OVA) and/or a Staphylococcus aureus bacterin used for prevention of bovine mastitis. To evaluate a suitable dose of GS as an adjuvant, 36 lactating cows were randomly divided into six groups. The cows were inoculated twice intramuscularly with a 2-week interval, with saline solution, OVA in saline, or OVA in combination with 4, 16 or 64 mg GS, or Al(OH)(3). The level of specific antibodies to OVA in serum and milk whey was measured before immunisations and 1-5 weeks after the second immunisation. The antibody response in serum was significantly higher in animals immunised with OVA and GS than in animals immunised with OVA alone. A significant increase in milk antibody titres compared with OVA only was only found 2 weeks after the second immunisation in the group immunised with OVA and 4 mg GS. In the second part of the study, 18 heifers were randomly divided into three groups and were immunised twice intramuscularly with a two week interval, with the S. aureus bacterin (control), or with the bacterin in combination with 4 mg GS or 1mg R(b1). The specific antibody response to S. aureus and the lymphocyte proliferation after stimulation with PWM, concanavalin A (Con A) or a specific S. aureus antigen was evaluated in blood samples taken before and after immunisations as specified above. Addition of R(b1) resulted both in significantly higher antibody production and lymphocyte proliferation in response to PWM, Con A and S. aureus antigens than in the control group. Addition of GS induced a significantly higher lymphocyte proliferation in response to PWM and Con A than the control, but had no additional effect on the antibody production. In conclusion, both GS and R(b1) were safe adjuvants, and R(b1) had the strongest adjuvant effects, when used for immunisation against S. aureus in dairy cattle. Field trials are warranted to test the ability of GS and R(b1) to enhance the efficacy of mastitis vaccines in protection against intramammary infections.     

Immunosuppression of in vivo and in vitro lymphocyte responses in swine induced by Trichinella spiralis or excretory-secretory antigens of the parasite.

The in vivo and in vitro effects of Trichinella spiralis excretory-secretory (ES) antigens on porcine peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) responses induced with mitogens (phytohemagglutinin, PHA; concanavalin A, Con A; pokeweed mitogen, PWM) or unrelated antigen (Protein A) were studied to determine whether ES antigens depress lymphocyte responses in experimental swine trichinosis, and/or if this response was manifested after lymphocytes from infected pigs had been pretreated with ES antigens. Additionally, the range of inhibition of lymphocyte responses was tested in parasite-free pigs using different doses of ES antigens and compared with the responsiveness of control cultures from the same animals. The responses of lymphocytes from pigs inoculated with 4 x 10(3) muscle larvae (ML) were strongly depressed (P < 0.05) at post-inoculation days (PID) 7 (after stimulation with PHA), 14, 35 (Con A or PWM), and 49 (PWM). At PID 56 and 63 the lymphocytes from T. spiralis-infected pigs responded better (P < 0.05) to all three mitogens than those from non-infected controls. After 7 weeks post-inoculation, PBL which were pretreated with 10 or 250 micrograms ml-1 of ES antigens showed significantly weaker (P < 0.05, P < 0.001) responses to PWM or PHA, respectively, than those from non-infected animals. The responsiveness of lymphocytes from both groups of pigs to Protein A was not affected by the pretreatment with ES antigens in vitro. The responses of lymphocytes from the parasite-free pigs induced by PHA, PWM or Protein A were strongly depressed (P < 0.01) after in vitro pretreatment regardless of the dose of ES antigens (5, 10, 15, or 20 micrograms ml-1) applied.     

In vitro stimulation of pig lymphocytes after infection and vaccination with Aujeszky's disease virus

Mitogenic and antigenic lymphocyte stimulation were examined in Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV) infected pigs and in pigs vaccinated with modified live ADV. Neither infection nor vaccination had any effect on lymphocyte responsiveness to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), pokeweed mitogen (PWM) or concavalin A (Con A). ADV antigen-responsive lymphocytes began to appear in the peripheral blood between 7 and 14 days after inoculation and could still be demonstrated in blood and spleen of infected pigs at 174 days after infection. In vaccinated pigs, sensitized peripheral blood lymphocytes could be detected up to at least 35 days after revaccination. Pre-incubation of ADV antigen with specific antibody markedly reduced lymphocyte stimulation. Non-immunized pigs showed no lymphocyte response to ADV antigen. Infected pigs exhibited no lymphocyte reactivity against antigens of non-infected cells.     

Effect of endobronchial challenge with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 10 of pigs vaccinated with bacterins consisting of A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 10 grown under NAD-rich and NAD-restricted conditions

The efficacy of two bacterins containing an Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 10 strain was evaluated. The bacterial cells constituting bacterin 1 and 2 were grown under nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-rich (low-adherence capacity to alveolar epithelial cell cultures) and NAD-restricted (high-adherence capacity to alveolar epithelial cell cultures) conditions, respectively. Ten pigs were vaccinated twice with the bacterin 1 and nine pigs with the bacterin 2. Ten control animals were injected twice with a saline solution. Three weeks after the second vaccination, all pigs were endobronchially inoculated with 106.5 colony-forming units (CFU) of an A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 10 strain. In the bacterin 1 and 2 group, three and two pigs died after inoculation, respectively. Only two pigs of the control group survived challenge. Surviving pigs were killed at 7 days after challenge. The percentage of pigs with severe lung lesions (> 10% of the lung affected) was 100% in the control group, 70% in the bacterin 1 group and 22% in the bacterin 2 group. Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae was isolated from the lungs of all animals. The mean bacterial titres of the caudal lung lobes were 7.0 x 10(6) CFU/g in the control group, 6.3 x 10(5) CFU/g in the bacterin 1 group and 1.3 x 10(6) CFU/g in the bacterin 2 group. It was concluded that both bacterins induced partial protection against severe challenge. Furthermore, there are indications that the bacterin 2, containing A. pleuropneumoniae bacteria grown under conditions resulting in high in vitro adhesin, induced better protection than the bacterin 1.     

Dynamics of Staphylococcus aureus infections during vaccination with an autogenous bacterin in dairy cattle

The effect of an autogenous vaccine against Staphylococcus aureus on S. aureus prevalence and mastitis, as well as on somatic cell count (SCC), was studied in a dairy herd with a high prevalence of S. aureus. The vaccination group (n = 35; 22 cows and 13 heifers) and the control group (n = 36; 23 cows and 13 heifers) received the vaccine or a placebo, respectively, according to the following protocol: all animals: basic immunization (twice, 3 weeks apart); cows: booster dose at the time of drying off, 5 and 2 weeks before calculated calving date; heifers: booster dose 2 and 5 weeks before calculated calving date. The vaccine or the placebo was administered subcutaneously in the area of the supramammary lymph nodes. Quarter milk samples were collected monthly and subjected to SCC and bacteriological evaluation. At this time, the animals were also checked for signs of clinical mastitis. Non-clinical S. aureus mastitis diagnoses were based on udder quarter SCC and a positive S. aureus culture. In order to compare the SCC in individual whole milk samples, records from the monthly milk quality testing were evaluated. Cow and udder quarter prevalence of S. aureus intramammary infections calculated for the experimental animals and quarters, respectively, did not differ between groups. However, during the lactation period following the boostcr dose, the prevalence of S. aureus increased in both groups (P < 0.05). The cumulative incidence of various mastitis diagnoses (clinical, subclinical, latent infection) due to S. aureus on an animal basis did not differ between groups. On an udder quarter basis, the cumulative incidence of subclinical mastitis was higher in vaccinated animals than in control animals (33.8 versus 26.0%; P < 0.05). This was mainly due to a higher cumulative incidence of subclinical mastitis in vaccinated than control heifers. The SCC in composite milk samples did not differ between groups, but increased as lactation progressed. The herd prevalence of S. aureus differed considerably throughout the study period, but declined consistently to below 10% at the end of the study period. Recent herd checks revealed a prevalence of S aureus infections of < 5%. It is concluded that the autogenous bacterin tested in this study did not have the desired effect on the prevalence of S. aureus infections and mastitis or SCC. The decline in S. aureus prevalence was very probably due to other factors than specific immunization against S. aureus.     

Antibodies in bovine serum and lacteal secretions to capsular antigens of Staphylococcus aureus

Pregnant cows were immunized systemically with an encapsulated strain of Staphylococcus aureus (Smith diffuse strain). Antibodies in serum and colostrum were detectable by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and prevented capsule production by the Smith diffuse strain in a soft agar medium. Antibody in milk, although detectable by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, did not affect the production of capsule in vitro. Antibodies were absorbed from milk and serum, using staphylococcal surface antigen. In a 2nd experiment, lactating cows were immunized, using Smith diffuse strain antigens in the form of a bacterin or as a surface extract; the bacterin or extract was emulsified in Freund's incomplete adjuvant. Antibody titers in the milk of cows given bacterin were significantly (P less than 0.001) greater than titers in the milk of animals immunized with surface extract. The soft agar technique was insufficiently sensitive to detect antibody in the milk of any of the cattle.     

Influence of sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (Imuthiol) on lymphocyte function and growth in weanling pigs

Mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions, interleukin-2 (IL-2) production, and growth performance were evaluated in 3-week-old pigs treated with imuthiol. Lymphocyte proliferative responses to Con A and PWM were reduced (P < 0.05) in pigs treated with imuthiol at 25 mg/kg; PHA proliferative responses were not influenced by imuthiol treatment. Imuthiol at 2.5 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg lowered IL-2 production when compared to saline-treated controls. Delayed-type hypersensitivity responses to PHA were higher in 25 mg/kg imuthiol-treated pigs; however, 2.5 mg/kg imuthiol-treated pigs had lower DHT reactions. Imuthiol at 2.5 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg reduced (P < 0.05) average daily feed intake. These data suggest that in vivo imuthiol treatment in pigs lowers lymphocyte proliferative responses, IL-2 production, and growth performance.     

Immunomodulation with killed Propionibacterium acnes in guinea pigs simultaneously vaccinated with Brucella abortus strain 19

Immunomodulation with killed Propionibacterium acnes was attempted in guinea pigs simultaneously vaccinated with Brucella abortus strain 19. Two groups, each comprised of 9 guinea pigs, were injected by different routes (s.c. and or i.v.) with 1.4 mg of P. acnes and 5 X 10(8) CFU of B. abortus, S-19, while 3 other groups each received either P. acnes, B. abortus S-19, or saline (s.c.). The antibody titers to B. abortus measured at 6, 10 and 14 weeks after vaccination indicated no significant (P less than 0.01) response in the 2 groups immunopotentiated with P. acnes concurrent with B. abortus S-19 vaccination. The delayed hypersensitivity response to 3 Brucella antigens conducted 8 weeks after immunization did not show a significant difference between the B. abortus S-19 vaccinated group compared with the 2 groups immunopotentiated and vaccinated. However, the proliferative response of lymphocytes to the B. abortus soluble antigen diluted 1:100 indicated significantly enhanced blastogenesis in the (s.c.) immunopotentiated and immunized guinea pigs compared with the B. abortus S-19 vaccinated group. A slightly enhanced response was also observed in the group immunopotentiated (i.v.) and vaccinated (s.c.). The guinea pigs were challenged with B. abortus strain 2308 and necropsied 4 weeks later. The mean splenic CFU of the Brucella in the group immunopotentiated (i.v.) and vaccinated (s.c.) was significantly decreased when compared with the guinea pigs vaccinated with B. abortus S-19 alone. These findings indicated that P. acnes administered simultaneously with B. abortus S-19 vaccine was able to augment the immune response in guinea pigs. Immunomodulation as evidenced by enhanced clearance of B. abortus from the spleens of immunopotentiated animals was presumably brought about by activated macrophages or a T-cell mediated cytolytic mechanism or both.     

Effect of Endobronchial Challenge with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae Serotype 10 of Pigs Vaccinated with Bacterins Consisting of A. pleuropneumoniae Serotype 10 Grown under NAD‐Rich and NAD‐Restricted Conditions

The efficacy of two bacterins containing an Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 10 strain was evaluated. The bacterial cells constituting bacterin 1 and 2 were grown under nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)‐rich (low‐adherence capacity to alveolar epithelial cell cultures) and NAD‐restricted (high‐adherence capacity to alveolar epithelial cell cultures) conditions, respectively. Ten pigs were vaccinated twice with the bacterin 1 and nine pigs with the bacterin 2. Ten control animals were injected twice with a saline solution. Three weeks after the second vaccination, all pigs were endobronchially inoculated with 106.5 colony‐forming units (CFU) of an A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 10 strain. In the bacterin 1 and 2 group, three and two pigs died after inoculation, respectively. Only two pigs of the control group survived challenge. Surviving pigs were killed at 7 days after challenge. The percentage of pigs with severe lung lesions (>10% of the lung affected) was 100% in the control group, 70% in the bacterin 1 group and 22% in the bacterin 2 group. Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae was isolated from the lungs of all animals. The mean bacterial titres of the caudal lung lobes were 7.0 × 10⁶ CFU/g in the control group, 6.3 × 10⁵ CFU/g in the bacterin 1 group and 1.3 × 10⁶ CFU/g in the bacterin 2 group. It was concluded that both bacterins induced partial protection against severe challenge. Furthermore, there are indications that the bacterin 2, containing A. pleuropneumoniae bacteria grown under conditions resulting in high in vitro adhesin, induced better protection than the bacterin 1.