Characterization of flagellin from Clostridium chauvoei.

Differential centrifugation and cesium chloride-equilibrium centrifugation were used to purify the flagella from the strain Okinawa of the formalin-fixed Clostridium chauvoei. SDS-PAGE profile of purified flagella showed that a major protein band with a molecular mass of 46 kDa, corresponding to the flagellin monomer, and at least two minor protein bands with molecular masses of approximately 73 and 100 kDa were found. The amino acid composition of C. chauvoei flagellin was similar to the flagellin of Salmonella typhimurium and Bacillus subtilis. In addition, C. chauvoei flagellin monomer shared limited sequence homology with the N-terminal amino acid sequence reported for other bacterial flagellins. N-terminal sequences of two minor bands corresponded to the flagellin monomer, indicating that higher molecular mass bands were polymeric forms of the flagellin monomer.     

Opsonic activity of anti-flagellar serum against Clostridium chauvoei by mouse polymorphonuclear leucocytes

The role of anti-flagellar serum against Clostridium chauvoei in phagocytosis by mouse polymorphonuclear leucocytes was examined. Anti-flagellar serum markedly increased phagocytic rate against the flagellated strain Okinawa but not against a non-flagellated mutant (NFM) derived from the same strain, while anti-NFM serum increased the phagocytic rate against both strains. These results indicate that anti-flagellar serum exerts its protective effect by opsonic activity.     

Effects of treatment with cobra venom factor on experimentally induced feline leukemia

Five- to six-month-old specific-pathogen-free cats were exposed to cobra venom factor (CVF) alone (4 cats), Rickard feline leukemia virus (FeLV; 9 cats), or CVF and FeLV (6 cats). Host-virus relationships were evaluated by monitoring the development of viremia, production of antibody against feline oncornavirus-associated cell membrane antigen, and amount of circulating immune complexes (CIC). Exposure to CVF induced complement depletion, which lasted 8 to 15 days. However, complement depletion did not promote the development of persistent viremia nor alter the production of antibody to feline oncornavirus-associated cell membrane antigen or CIC. Results indicated that the complement system did not protect cats during their initial exposure to FeLV and that an intact complement system was not necessary for the development of antibody against feline oncornavirus-associated antigen or for the formation of CIC.     

A note on penicillin treatment of experimental clostridium chauvoei infection in sheep

Extract

Whilst vaccination is unquestionably a more convenient, economic, and effective procedure for preventing sheep mortalities from Clostridium chauvoei infection on properties where the disease is endemic, penicillin treatment of gas gangrene infections of sheep could have some application under special conditions in the field.     

Efficacy of needle-free injection on antibody production against Clostridium chauvoei in beef calves under field conditions

This study compared needle-free and needle-based injection devices for vaccination of calves against Clostridium chauvoei in warm and cold conditions. Both devices elicited comparable antibody responses in calves. Needle-free injection devices can be used to vaccinate calves provided appropriate precautions are taken in cold weather.     

气肿疽梭菌检测方法概述

气肿疽(Clostridium chauvoei infection)病原体为气肿疽梭菌,是一种发生于反刍动物的急性、热性、败血性传染病。常见的典型症状为发病动物肌肉丰满部位发生炎性、气性肿胀,触压有捻发音,该病的流行有一定的地方性、季节性,多发生在潮湿的山谷、牧场,且在天气炎热的多雨季节。近几年常有暴发牛气肿疽的报道,给养殖业的发展带来了巨大的冲击和经济损失,同时也逐渐地威胁到畜牧生产和人类的安全。国内关于该病的研究多数为病例报道,对于该病的详细研究和综述却是少之又少,论文参考国内外相关文献,从方法、原理、优缺点等多个方面阐述气肿疽的检测方法,以期为该病的诊断提供参考。     

Purification and sensitivity of Clostridium chauvoei hemolysin to various erythrocytes

Using ammonium sulphate fractionation, the Clostridium chauvoei hemolysin was purified by cation exchange chromatography and sephacryl S-100 gel filtration. The molecular mass of the hemolysin, determined by SDS-PAGE was found to be approximately 27kDa. The activity of the hemolysin was determined in erythrocytes of various animals, with sensitivities observed in the order of cow, sheep, chicken, rabbit, rat, mouse, dog and horse. Temperature affected the sensitivity of erythrocytes to C. chauvoei hemolysin. These results may reflect distinct characteristics of the hemolytic activity of C. chauvoei hemolysin and that the hemolysin may be pore-forming.     

Genetic and functional characterization of the NanA sialidase from Clostridium chauvoei

ABSTRACT: Clostridium chauvoei is the causative agent of blackleg, a wide spread serious infection of cattle and sheep with high mortality. In this study we have analyzed the sialidase activity of the NanA protein of C. chauvoei and cloned the sialidase gene nanA. Sialidase is encoded as a precursor protein of 722 amino acids with a 26 amino acid signal peptide. The mature sialidase has a calculated molecular mass of 81 kDa and contains the carbohydrate binding module 32 (CBM32, or F5/8 type C domain), the sialic acid binding module CBM40 and the enzymatically active sialidase domain found in all pro- and eukaryotic sialidases. Sialidase activity does not require the CBM32 domain. The NanA protein is secreted by C. chauvoei as a dimer. The nanA gene was found to be conserved and sialidase activity was found in C. chauvoei strains isolated over a period of 50 years from various geographical locations. Antiserum directed against a recombinant 40 kDa peptide containing CBM40 and part of the enzymatically active domain of NanA neutralized the secreted sialidase activity of all C. chauvoei strains tested.