Pasteurella haemolytica leukotoxin: comparison of 51chromium-release, trypan blue dye exclusion, and luminol-dependent chemiluminescence-inhibition assays for sensitivity in detecting leukotoxin activity

Dilutions of concentrated, dialyzed Pasteurella haemolytica culture supernatant were caused to react with bovine neutrophil (PMN) suspensions, and then the trypan blue dye exclusion (TBDE), 51chromium (51Cr)-release, and luminol-dependent chemiluminescence-inhibition (LDCLI) assays were done to compare their relative sensitivities in detecting biological activity of P haemolytica leukotoxin (cytotoxin). The culture supernatant was concentrated approximately 200:1, and when caused to react as an undiluted preparation with bovine PMN, it was cytotoxic for 38.6% and 80.4% of PMN as determined by TBDE and 51Cr-release assays, respectively. This undiluted leukotoxin preparation caused 100% inhibition of the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence responses of bovine PMN. The LDCLI assay was the most sensitive of the 3 in vitro assays for P haemolytica leukotoxin activity--being approximately 17 times and 2,480 times more sensitive than the 51Cr-release and TBDE assays, respectively. The relative advantages and disadvantages of the 3 assays as in vitro systems for detecting and titrating leukotoxin activity and investigating the role of leukotoxin in disease pathogenesis and immunity are discussed. Because of its sensitivity, specificity, economy, technical ease, and potential for adaptation to automation, the LDCLI assay would seem to be the in vitro assay of choice for quantitating P haemolytica leukotoxin activity. To aid standardization of studies of leukotoxin between different laboratories, it is suggested that P haemolytica leukotoxin be quantitated and expressed as chemiluminescence inhibitory units.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Pasteurella haemolytica leukotoxin: physicochemical characteristics and susceptibility of leukotoxin to enzymatic treatment

Sterile, concentrated culture supernatant from Pasteurella haemolytica (biotype A, serotype 1) strain 630 was subjected to physical, chemical, and immunologic treatments to determine their influence on leukotoxin (cytotoxin) activity contained in the supernatant. Each treated sample contained approximately 8 chemiluminescence inhibitory units of leukotoxin. Treatment effects were evaluated for their ability to inactivate leukotoxin activity. Leukotoxin activity in treated samples was determined by inhibition of the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence response of bovine neutrophils. Optimal leukotoxin synthesis by P haemolytica occurred when the bacteria were at the logarithmic growth phase, whereas stationary phase cultures contained minimal amounts of leukotoxin activity in their culture supernatant. Leukotoxin activity was heat labile; activity was substantially decreased when concentrated culture supernatant samples containing leukotoxin activity were incubated at 37 C for several hours. When concentrated culture supernatant was incubated at progressively decreasing temperatures, there was a progressive increase in the length of time that the leukotoxin retained its biologic activity. Samples stored at -70 C retained activity for at least 2 months. Leukotoxin activity was nondialyzable and was able to withstand considerable extremes in hydrogen ion concentration. Leukotoxin activity could not be pelleted when subjected to forces of 100,000 X g for 1 hour. Chemical and enzymatic studies suggested that P haemolytica leukotoxin contained carbohydrate and protein moieties. Chemical treatment with 0.2% sodium lauryl sulfate, 0.5% sodium deoxycholate, 7.5 mM EDTA and 8M urea with 8 mM 2-mercaptoethanol and enzymatic treatment with lipase, ribonuclease, and deoxyribonuclease had no discernible effect on leukotoxin activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis: evaluation of interactions between bovine pulmonary lavage cells and Pasteurella haemolytica (biotype A, serotype 1), using a luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay

In vitro interactions of bovine pulmonary lavage cells (PLC) and pathogenic isolates of Pasteurella haemolytica biotype A, serotype 1, were examined, using a luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (LDCL) assay. The PLC containing high concentrations of bovine alveolar macrophages were incubated with living and heat-killed P haemolytica at bacteria to PLC ratio of approximately 1:1. Kinetics of the mean LDCL response of bovine PLC to heat-killed P haemolytica cells were characterized by a gradual increase in the amount of light emitted over 150 minutes followed by a slight decrease at 180 minutes. In contrast, the LDCL responses of reaction mixtures containing living P haemolytica were characterized by the development of a maximal response at 60 minutes followed by a continued precipitous decrease in light emission to background values by 150 minutes. Differences were not noticed in the LDCL response of PLC suspensions from the same cow to 3 P haemolytica isolates. In each instance, reaction mixtures containing heat-killed bacteria had a similar LDCL profile that was characterized by continuous production of light over 180 minutes, whereas all reaction mixtures containing living bacteria underwent a precipitous decrease in light emission, which eventually resulted in a complete cessation of chemiluminescence. The PLC suspensions from different cattle did not respond to bacterial stimuli uniformly, with respect to the amplitude or detailed nature of the LDCL profile. The time that lapsed between the addition of living P haemolytica to PLC suspensions and the complete cessation of chemiluminescence varied for different cows.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis: chemiluminescent response of bovine peripheral blood leukocytes to living and killed Pasteurella haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, and Escherichia coli

A luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (LDCL) assay was used to evaluate the response of bovine polymorphonuclear leukocytes; (neutrophils [PMN]) to living and heat-killed Escherichia coli, Pasteurella multocida (type A, serotype 3), and P haemolytica (biotype A, serotype 1), and to heat-killed P haemolytica and sterile culture supernatant from living P haemolytica. Control cultures containing PMN that had not been phagocytically stimulated with bacteria had a modest increase in LDCL during the initial 10 minutes of incubation, followed by a gradual decline throughout the 120-minute incubation period. Bovine PMN emitted LDCL more efficiently when the cells were exposed to living E coli or P multocida than when they were exposed to the same bacteria killed by heat. The mean LDCL values for reaction mixtures containing living E coli or P multocida peaked at 30 minutes of incubation and remained above values for mixtures containing the same heat-killed bacteria. Kinetics of the LDCL response of bovine PMN to heat-killed P haemolytica were similar (although reduced in amplitude) to that observed with killed E coli or P multocida. The LDCL response of bovine PMN to living P haemolytica was not like that for E coli or P multocida, and was characterized by the development of a peak response at 10 minutes followed by a precipitous decrease in responsiveness and a subsequent complete cessation of LDCL. Addition of sterile culture supernatant from living P haemolytica to test samples containing heat-killed P haemolytica induced a response similar to that obtained with the living microorganism.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Pasteurella haemolytica leukotoxin: chemiluminescent responses of peripheral blood leukocytes from several different mammalian species to leukotoxin- and opsonin-treated living and killed Pasteurella haemolytica and Staphylococcus aureus

A luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (LDCL) assay was used to assess the response of polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) preparations from 4 species of ruminants (ie, cattle, sheep, goats, and antelopes) and 6 species of nonruminants (ie, swine, dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, and persons) to both opsonized and nonopsonized preparations of living and heat-killed Pasteurella haemolytica and Staphylococcus aureus and to opsonized and nonopsonized heat-killed strains of each bacterium in the presence of sterile culture supernatant (leukotoxin) from P haemolytica. The LDCL responses of PMN preparations from each of the species studied were greater for living than for heat-killed S aureus. The most efficient LDCL emission was observed with reaction mixtures containing opsonized living S aureus. Regardless whether they contained killed or living bacteria, the opsonized S aureus preparations elicited LDCL emissions more efficiently than did the corresponding nonopsonized preparations. Living P haemolytica cells and their sterile culture supernatant inhibited the LDCL emissions of phagocytically stimulated PMN preparations from ruminants, but not those from nonruminants. The LDCL response of ruminant PMN to nonopsonized living P haemolytica was characterized by the development of a peak response at 10 minutes of incubation followed by a precipitous decrease and a subsequent complete cessation of chemiluminescence. The peak LDCL response was higher for opsonized living P haemolytica than for nonopsonized living bacteria, and the increased response lasted longer. However, opsonization of living P haemolytica with the serum samples tested only temporarily spared the ruminant PMN preparations from the detrimental effects of leukotoxin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Functional and metabolic activity of bovine pulmonary lavage cells phagocytically stimulated with pathogenic isolates of Pasteurella haemolytica

Live Pasteurella haemolytica biotype A, serotype 1 isolates (n = 3) and Escherichia coli K-12, strain W3110, were reacted with bovine pulmonary lavage cell (PLC) suspensions. The comparative effects of the different bacteria on the functional and metabolic activity of alveolar macrophages (AMO) in the PLC suspensions were assessed simultaneously by use of 51Cr release, luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (LDCL), and AMO bactericidal assays. The bovine PLC responded differently to E coli, than to the 3 P haemolytica isolates in each of the 3 experimental test systems; however, responses to each of the P haemolytica isolates were not found to be significantly different. Unopsonized live P haemolytica cells adversely affected the functional and metabolic response of PLC, whereas there was no evidence of a cytotoxic (cytocidal) influence of E coli. A difference in 51Cr release for reaction mixtures containing E coli and P haemolytica was not detected at zero time; however, at each subsequent time, reaction mixtures phagocytically stimulated with P haemolytica had significantly increased amount of 51Cr release (P less than 0.05), compared with those mixtures containing E coli. Bovine AMO in the PLC suspensions were able to effectively kill E coli in vitro, but were unable to prevent survival and subsequent growth of P haemolytica. The luminol-dependent chemiluminescence profiles for reaction mixtures phagocytically stimulated with E coli provided evidence of sustained production of oxygen radicals with antimicrobial capabilities by bovine AMO in the PLC. Production of these highly reactive antimicrobial oxidants appeared initially in cultures containing P haemolytica but, subsequently, their production declined precipitously and ceased altogether.     

Cytotoxic activity of Mannheimia haemolytica strains in relation to diversity of the leukotoxin structural gene lktA

The leukotoxin of Mannheimia haemolytica has a very high degree of amino acid diversity because the lktA gene has a complex mosaic structure that has been derived by horizontal DNA transfer and intragenic recombination. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of this amino acid diversity on leukotoxin cytotoxicity against bovine and ovine cell types. This was done by comparing the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence response of bovine and ovine neutrophils after pre-incubation with the various leukotoxin types. The LktA1.1-type leukotoxin associated with bovine serotype A1 and A6 strains differs from the LktA1.2-type leukotoxin produced by ovine serotype A1 and A6 strains at a single amino acid position and has enhanced activity against bovine but reduced activity against ovine neutrophils. These findings, together with the exclusive association of the LktA1.1-type leukotoxin with bovine strains, suggest that this leukotoxin type has an adaptive advantage in the bovine host. Leukotoxins LktA6-LktA10 are associated with ovine strains and have complex mosaic structures and diverse amino acid sequences but similar levels of cytotoxic activity against bovine and ovine neutrophils, respectively. However, ovine neutrophils were more sensitive to the cytotoxic activities of these leukotoxins than were bovine neutrophils. LktA8- and LktA10-type leukotoxins are associated with serotype A2 and A7 strains that are responsible for the majority of ovine disease cases, but LktA6-, LktA7- and LktA9-type leukotoxins are associated with less common serotypes. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence suggesting that factors other than leukotoxin cytotoxicity are responsible for the full expression of virulence in M. haemolytica. Overall, the extensive recombinational exchanges within the lktA gene of M. haemolytica have had little effect on leukotoxin function which is highly conserved.     

Novel protease produced by a Pasteurella trehalosi serotype 10 isolate from a pneumonic bighorn sheep: characteristics and potential relevance to protection

A strain of Pasteurella trehalosi serotype 10, E(CO)-100, isolated from a bighorn sheep that had succumbed to pneumonic pasteurellosis during an epizootic, was compared to well-characterized strains of P. trehalosi serotype 10 and Mannheimia haemolytica serotype 1. The gene for leukotoxin A (lktA) from E(CO)-100 was sequenced and found to be identical on an amino acid basis to a published sequence for lktA from P. trehalosi serotype 10. However, the toxic activity in culture supernatant measured over time for E(CO)-100 was quite different from reference strains. Typically, the ability of the supernatant to lyse target cells increases over time corresponding to the logarithmic growth of the organism, peaks at mid to late phase, then declines gradually. Supernatant from E(CO)-100 exhibited a sharp decline in toxicity after mid-logarithmic growth to undetectable levels. Investigation of this anomaly using a commercial kit with a porcine gelatin/bovine albumin substrate matrix revealed high protease activity in the supernatant of this strain compared to another P. trehalosi serotype 10 and to a M. haemolytica serotype 1. Protease activity was also visualized using gelatin based zymogram gels. This protease was not substrate specific as it was shown to degrade leukotoxin. Activity was neutralized by bighorn sera in a titratable manner. There was an association between the ability to neutralize protease and low pneumonic lung scores in bighorn sheep experimentally challenged with E(CO)-100 (r=0.5, P=0.1). This previously unidentified protease may be an important protective antigen in vaccines designed to prevent pneumonic pasteurellosis resulting from P. trehalosi in bighorn sheep.     

Characterization and comparison of antimicrobial susceptibilities and outer membrane protein and plasmid DNA profiles of Pasteurella haemolytica and certain other members of the genus Pasteurella.

The outer membrane protein (OMP), plasmid, and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Pasteurella haemolytica serotypes 1 through 12, a bovine isolate of P multocida, a chicken isolate of P multocida, and an unidentified Pasteurella species of bovine origin were examined. Isolates of P haemolytica serotypes belonging to the same biotype possessed similar OMP profiles. Biotype A isolates contained 2 prominent OMP of 43 kilodaltons (kD) and 29 kD, whereas biotype-T serotypes contained 3 major OMP of 43, 36, and 25 kD. The major OMP profiles of the 2 P multocida isolates and the unidentified Pasteurella species were different from each other and from P haemolytica isolates. Plasmid DNA screening indicated both plasmid-containing and plasmid-free P haemolytica and P multocida isolates. Multiple drug resistance was found in pasteurellae isolates with and without plasmids. However, a relationship between drug resistance and plasmid isolation was found in 3 of 4 haemolytica serotype 1 field isolates, all of which contained a 2.51-megadalton plasmid and had multiple drug resistance for benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, streptomycin, and tetracycline.     

Actin polymerization enhances Pasteurella haemolytica leukotoxicity

Pasteurella haemolytica leukotoxin is cytotoxic to bovine leukocytes, causing increased cell membrane permeability, osmotic swelling, release of cytosolic proteins and cell lysis. These studies were designed to test if leukotoxin causes release of the cytoskeletal protein, actin, from bovine leukemia cells and if purified actin-influenced bacterial growth or leukotoxin production. Culture supernatants caused a 7-fold decrease in viability of bovine leukemia cells and increased cell permeability that was accompanied by release of beta-actin into the cell culture supernatant. Exposing P. haemolytica to purified actin solutions induced the conversion of monomeric G-actin to polymerized F-actin. This conversion was partially inhibited by bovine P. haemolytica immune, but not pre-immune, serum. Loss of streptomycin resistance following treatment of the organism with acridine orange ablated the polymerizing activity. Incubation of P. haemolytica in the presence of purified F-actin did not affect growth but resulted in culture supernatant that had 3.0-3.9-fold greater leukotoxicity compared to medium alone or medium containing G-actin, heat-denatured actin or albumin. The effect of actin on leukotoxicity was concentration-dependent and directly associated with increases in secreted leukotoxin. The interaction between P. haemolytica and actin is potentially detrimental to the host by inducing polymerization of actin into insoluble filaments and by enhancing leukotoxicity.     

Immunohistochemical localization of Pasteurella haemolytica A1-derived endotoxin, leukotoxin, and capsular polysaccharide in experimental bovine Pasteurella pneumonia

Six, 5- to 10-week-old male Holstein calves were inoculated intratracheally with 5 x 10(9) logarithmic growth phase Pasteurella haemolytica biotype A serotype 1 (A1). Immunohistochemical techniques in conjunction with the use of monoclonal antibodies directed against P. haemolytica A1-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS), capsular polysaccharide, and a polyclonal rabbit anti-leukotoxin antibody were used to localize their respective antigens in tissue sections of pneumonic lung at the light and electron microscopic levels. We found the following: 1) LPS, capsular polysaccharide, and leukotoxin were released into the inflammatory exudate; 2) LPS was found within the cytoplasm of neutrophils (located in the alveolus and alveolar wall), alveolar macrophages, endothelial cells, pulmonary intravascular macrophages, and on epithelial cell surfaces; 3) capsular polysaccharide was found in the alveolus and alveolar macrophages but not in cells of the alveolar wall; and 4) leukotoxin was associated with cell membranes of degenerating inflammatory cells located in the alveolus. This is the first study that demonstrates the presence of leukotoxin in the pulmonary inflammatory lesions caused by P. haemolytica A1 and implicates endotoxin as an important factor in the genesis of the pulmonary lesions.     

Production and partial characterization of monoclonal antibodies to Pasteurella haemolytica A1 capsular polysaccharide and lipopolysaccharide

Hybridoma-derived monoclonal antibodies (MAB) against the cell surface antigens of Pasteurella haemolytica serotype 1 were obtained by the fusion of murine myeloma cells (P3 X 63 - Ag 8.653) with splenocytes of BALB/c mice immunized with crude logarithmic growth-phase culture supernatant. Initial screening was performed, using an ELISA, with the same bacterial growth culture supernatant as coating antigens. Further selection was done, using a panel of purified antigens--either capsular polysaccharide or lipopolysaccharide--as the coating antigen in an ELISA, and then performing a leukotoxin-neutralization assay. Two MAB, designated IIB-6 and H-2, reacted specifically with the capsular polysaccharide and the other 3, designated IVG-3, IH-3, and IIC-2, reacted with the lipopolysaccharide. One MAB, designated IH-6, did not react with leukotoxin, capsular polysaccharide, or lipopolysaccharide. The MAB to the capsular polysaccharide (IIB-6 and H-2) were characterized further; both antibodies belonged to the IgM class and were agglutinating. In addition, they promoted neutrophil-mediated opsonophagocytosis and complement-mediated immune bacteriolysis of P haemolytica serotype 1. Results from 3 studies indicated that the MAB IIB-6 and H-2 were specific only to the capsular polysaccharide of serotype 1 of P haemolytica. The MAB to the lipopolysaccharide (IVG-3, IH-3, and IIC-2) were of the IgG1, IgG3, and IgM classes, respectively and were not characterized further. The availability of a MAB identifying a serotype-specific, surface-exposed determinant on the capsule of P haemolytica serotype 1 should facilitate and expand studies concerning the role of the capsular material and lipopolysaccharide in the pathogenicity of P haemolytica infection in cattle.     

Chemotactic response of bovine neutrophils to Pasteurella haemolytica culture fluid

Bovine neutrophil chemotactic activity was detected in the supernatant fluid of logarithmic phase cultures of P. haemolytica serotype 1. The chemoattractant was produced under culture conditions suitable for P. haemolytica leukotoxin production. An inverse correlation existed between the leukotoxin LC50 and the chemotactic activity in the culture fluid. Elimination of leukotoxin activity by heating, dilution or ultrafiltration, exposed the chemotactic activity in the culture fluid. The chemoattractant was partially resistant to heating (60 degrees C, 30 min), and had an apparent molecular weight greater than 100,000. Detection of chemotactic activity in both the concentrate and filtrate after XM300 filtration suggested that there might be more than one component with chemotactic activity or else that polymerization was occurring. Production of a potent neutrophil chemoattractant by P. haemolytica may explain the rapid infiltration of neutrophils that occurs during the early stages of bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis.     

Genomic distribution of a serotype 1-specific antigen-coding DNA fragment of Pasteurella haemolytica.

A genomic fragment of Pasteurella haemolytica biotype A coding for a serotype 1-specific agglutinating antigen was used as a probe in a series of hybridization experiments to determine distribution of the fragment in various P. haemolytica serotypes as well as other bacteria. Results showed presence of the fragment in seven out of the 12 serotypes tested, all of which belonged to biotype A. Two other serotypes belonging to biotype A, all three serotypes belonging to biotype T, two Pasteurella multocida isolates and Escherichia coli did not have the fragment in their genome. Thus the expression of the P. haemolytica biotype A serotype 1-specific agglutinating antigen (PHA1SAA) seems to be due to serotype-specific regulation of protein expression rather than to genetic deletion. Differences in methylation of the PHA1SAA-coding fragment was also noted in DpnI and Sau3AI genomic DNA digests from the various serotypes analyzed by Southern blot. However, no apparent correlation was observed between methylation and PHA1SAA expression. E. coli with a recombinant plasmid containing a homologous genomic fragment derived from P. haemolytica serotype 2 also expressed PHA1SAA.     

Alterations in bovine platelet function and acute phase proteins induced by Pasteurella haemolytica A1.

Platelet function was assessed by aggregometry in 10 Holstein calves before and after exposure to Pasteurella haemolytica (biotype A, serotype 1) by intrabronchial challenge. At 24 h after exposure the platelets had become more reactive to stimulation with known platelet agonists such as adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and platelet-activating factor (PAF) and the platelet aggregates that formed were more resistant to disaggregation. The activation of platelets was an early response in the challenged calves as platelet function had returned to pretreatment levels 72 h after exposure to the bacteria while the acute phase reactant proteins, haptoglobin and fibrinogen, were approaching their peak values and alpha 2-macroglobulin levels had also risen significantly (P < 0.05) at this time. The plasma levels of these proteins were still elevated and albumin levels were depressed 6 d post-treatment. At post-mortem all calves exhibited pneumonic tissue damage. When P. haemolytica leukotoxin was added directly to bovine platelet suspensions both spontaneous aggregation and an increase in the aggregation response to ADP and PAF stimulation were observed. The morphological appearance of the platelet aggregates exhibited the typical pattern for bovine platelets with 2 distinct zones of cells being visible within each aggregate. One zone contained platelets in which the cytoplasmic granules were still evident and the other zone contained irregularly shaped platelets devoid of granular content. In the latter zone, discrete gaps, or pores, were evident in the plasma membrane of numerous platelets. This pore formation is characteristic of leukotoxin action and is not observed in ADP or PAF induced aggregates.     

Evaluation of Mannheimia haemolytica leukotoxin prepared in nonsupplemented and BSA or FBS supplemented RPMI 1640 medium

Mannheimia haemolytica leukotoxin (Lkt) is the major factor that contributes to lung injury in bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis. Supernatant preparations containing Lkt produced by M. haemolytica serotype 1, grown in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with BSA or FBS and without supplements were evaluated during this study. Analysis of obtained Lkt showed presence of 105 kDa antigen (SDS-PAGE electrophoresis). The obtained bacterial protein fraction estimated as Lkt was detected by Western blotting with mouse monoclonal (Mab 605 and Mab 601) anti-Lkt antibodies. No significant differences were found in obtained leukotoxin between wildtype and reference M. haemolytica strains. Our studies showed that growth in media supplemented with BSA or FBS had no significant influence on leukotoxin production. When BSA or FBS supplements were used, additional protein fractions in electrophoregrams SDS-PAGE were observed. These protein bands did not react with Mab 605 and/or Mab 601 in Western blotting analysis. Lkt immunogenicity was detected by immunoblotting with sera from Lkt immunized rabbits and calves.     

Vaccination of calves with leukotoxic culture supernatant from Pasteurella haemolytica.

In three experiments subcutaneous vaccination of calves with adjuvanted bacteria-free leukotoxic culture supernatant from log phase cultures of Pasteurella haemolytica A1 (toxin 1) was shown to induce some protection against intrabronchial challenge with live P. haemolytica A1. This toxin 1 vaccine was as effective as a whole cell bacterin in stimulating agglutinating antibody to P. haemolytica. Induction of leukotoxin neutralizing activity was variable; in some cases vaccination only primed the animal to produce an anamnestic response after challenge, whereas in other instances antitoxic activity increased in response to immunization. Two doses of vaccine were shown to be more effective than a single immunization. Vaccination with leukotoxic culture supernatant from the nonpathogenic P. haemolytica serotype 11 was as effective as vaccination with toxin 1 in stimulating antitoxic activity but was not protective. This implies that both serospecific agglutinating activity and an antitoxic response are needed for immunity.     

Pasteurella haemolytica leukotoxin induces histamine release from bovine pulmonary mast cells.

Pasteurella haemolytica A1 leukotoxic culture supernatant was evaluated for its ability to induce histamine release from bovine pulmonary mast cells isolated by enzymatic dispersion of lung tissue. Histamine was measured by a radioimmunoassay technique. Leukotoxic culture supernatant of P. haemolytica significantly released histamine in a time and concentration-related manner. This effect was lost when culture supernatant was heat-inactivated or preincubated with leukotoxin neutralizing rabbit serum. Preincubation of the mast cells with propranolol or p-bromophenacyl bromide reduced the histamine-releasing effect of leukotoxin, while verapamil enhanced release. Experimental infection of calves with P. haemolytica A1 reduced the total histamine content of pulmonary mast cells recovered at postmortem. Histamine release induced by P. haemolytica leukotoxin is likely an important factor in the pathogenesis of bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis.     

Susceptibility of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and domestic sheep to pneumonia induced by bighorn and domestic livestock strains of Pasteurella haemolytica.

Bighorn sheep were inoculated intratracheally with suspensions of nonhemolytic Pasteurella haemolytica biotype T (10(12) organisms) unique to wild bighorns, with beta-hemolytic P. haemolytica biotype T (10(12) organisms) isolated from clinically normal domestic sheep or intradermally with half a dose of a cattle vaccine containing P. haemolytica biotype A (10(5) organisms). The bighorn strain caused lobar necrotizing bronchopneumonia whereas both domestic livestock strains precipitated fatal septicemia and fibrinous bronchopneumonia. The serotypes given were T3, T4, T15 and A1 and these were recovered from lung lesions and other organs. In three trials, domestic sheep were inoculated intratracheally with suspensions of bighorn sheep pneumonic lungs, and two concentrations of the P. haemolytica bighorn strain (10(4) and 10(12) organisms). One of these sheep was inoculated intrabronchially. The domestic sheep experienced a transient fever and elevated white blood cell counts. After six days, none of the sheep had lung lesions and inoculated organisms could not be recovered. It is suggested that bighorn sheep are very susceptible to P. haemolytica from domestic livestock and should not be allowed in contact with sheep or cattle.     

Serotypes and electrophoretic protein profiles of Pasteurella haemolytica isolated from pneumonic ovine lungs.

Serotypes and SDS-PAGE protein profiles of P. haemolytica isolated from pneumonic ovine lungs were investigated. Of 268 P. haemolytica isolates, 232 (86.6%) were serotypable. A total of 12 serotypes were recognized in 20 different geographic origins of central Turkey. The most common serotype was A2, followed by A7, A1 and T4. Serotypes A13, A14, A16 and T15 could not be detected. In SDS-PAGE, marked differences between major bands of biotype A and T strains were found. In numerical analysis of protein profiles, biotype A and T strains were separated at 58% similarity level. Biotype A isolates produced a cluster at 80% similarity level, and biotype T isolates at 92% similarity level. No single cut off level was able to discriminate between each serotype studied and isolates could not be clustered on the basis of their geographic origins.