Porcine intestinal epithelial cell lines as a new in vitro model for studying adherence and pathogenesis of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infections result in large economic losses in the swine industry worldwide. The organism causes diarrhea by adhering to and colonizing enterocytes in the small intestines. While much progress has been made in understanding the pathogenesis of ETEC, no homologous intestinal epithelial cultures suitable for studying porcine ETEC pathogenesis have been described prior to this report. In the current study, we investigated the adherence of various porcine ETEC strains to two porcine (IPEC-1 and IPEC-J2) and one human (INT-407) small intestinal epithelial cell lines. Each cell line was assessed for its ability to support the adherence of E. coli expressing fimbrial adhesins K88ab, K88ac, K88ad, K99, F41, 987P, and F18. Wild-type ETEC expressing K88ab, K88ac, and K88ad efficiently bound to both IPEC-1 and IPEC-J2 cells. An ETEC strain expressing both K99 and F41 bound heavily to both porcine cell lines but an E. coli strain expressing only K99 bound very poorly to these cells. E. coli expressing F18 adhesin strongly bound to IPEC-1 cells but did not adhere to IPEC-J2 cells. The E. coli strains G58-1 and 711 which express no fimbrial adhesins and those that express 987P fimbriae failed to bind to either porcine cell line. Only strains B41 and K12:K99 bound in abundance to INT-407 cells. The binding of porcine ETEC to IPEC-J2, IPEC-1 and INT-407 with varying affinities, together with lack of binding of 987P ETEC and non-fimbriated E. coli strains, suggests strain-specific E. coli binding to these cell lines. These findings suggest the potential usefulness of porcine intestinal cell lines for studying ETEC pathogenesis.     

Effects of an orally administered live Escherichia coli pilus vaccine on duration of lacteal immunity to enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in swine

Primigravid swine were vaccinated orally with a live enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strain that produces pilus antigen K99. The titers of K99 antibody in colostrum and milk of vaccinates remained higher than those of nonvaccinated controls through the first lactation after vaccination (4 weeks). Some control swine had low titers of K99 antibody in colostrum or developed low titers of K99 antibody in milk during lactation. Lacteal K99 antibody titers of vaccinates dropped to control levels during the second lactation, 6 months after vaccination. Pigs suckling vaccinates and controls were equally susceptible to challenge exposure to K99+ ETEC during the second lactation. Orally vaccinated swine given a parenteral booster vaccination (with killed K99+ ETEC) during their second gestation had K99 antibody in milk through their second lactation. During the second lactation, these orally vaccinated parenterally revaccinated swine had higher titers of K99 antibody in postcolostral milk than did nonvaccinated controls, controls given only the parenteral booster injection, or controls vaccinated parenterally during both gestations.     

Prevalence of four enterotoxin (STaP, STaH, STb, and LT) and four adhesin subunit (K99, K88, 987P, and F41) genes among Escherichia coli isolates from cattle

Colony hybridizations with DNA probes for 3 heat-stable (STaP, STaH, and STb) enterotoxins and 1 heat-labile (LT) enterotoxin and for 4 adhesins (K99, F41, K88, 987P) were performed on 870 Escherichia coli isolates to determine pathotypes prevalent among enterotoxigenic E coli (ETEC) isolated from cattle in Belgium. One hundred thirty-two E coli isolates (15.2%) hybridized with probes STaP, K99, and/or F41. The 5 other probes were not hybridized by E coli isolates. Therefore, only STaP enterotoxin and K99 and F41 adhesins were virulence factors of ETEC isolated from cattle. Two major pathotypes accounted for 95% of the ETEC: STaP+K99+F41+ (67.4%) and STaP+K99+ (27.3%). The last 5% of probe-positive isolates had STaP+, STaP+F41+, or K99+F41+ minor pathotypes. Of 12 American ETEC isolates also assayed, 7 were positive with STb and/or 987P probes (pathotypes STaP+STb+, STaP+ 987P+, or STaP+STb+987P+) and may be porcine- rather than bovine-specific enteropathogens. The remaining 5 American ETEC isolates belonged to 3 minor pathotypes (STaP+, STaP+F41+, and K99+F41+) also found among Belgian E coli isolates. Such isolates may be derivatives of STaP+K99+F41+ or STaP+K99+ ETEC after in vivo or in vitro loss of virulence genes and/or non-ETEC isolates, which have acquired virulence genes by in vivo transfer.     

Prevalence of virulence genes in Escherichia coli strains recently isolated from young pigs with diarrhea in the US

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC)-associated post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) is economically one of the most important diseases for the swine industry. Porcine ETEC strains typically express K88 or F18 fimbria and heat-labile (LT) and/or heat-stable (STa, STb) enterotoxins. However, recent studies indicate that EAST1 toxin, adhesin involved in diffuse adherence (AIDA-I) and porcine attaching and effacing-associated factor (paa) may also be expressed by ETEC strains associated with diarrhea. To better understand the virulence factors of E. coli strains that cause PWD, we applied PCR to screen for K88, F18, F41, 987P and K99 fimbrial genes; LT, STa, STb, Stx2e and EAST1 toxic genes; and AIDA-I, paa and EAE adhesin genes in E. coli strains recently isolated from young pigs with PWD in the US. Of 304 E. coli isolates from diarrheic pigs submitted for testing, 175 (57.6%) strains possessed fimbrial genes: K88 (64.6%), F18 (34.3%), F41 (0.57%), K99 (0.57%), 987P (0); toxin genes: LT (57.7%), STb (72.6%), STa (27.4%), STx2e (17.4%), EAST1 (35%); and adhesin genes: AIDA-I (26.9%), paa (60%), EAE (1.1%). All toxin genes except the EAST1 toxin gene, were almost exclusively associated with K88+ or F18+ isolates, and most of these isolates carried multiple toxin genes. The non-fimbrial adhesin paa was found present in over half of the K88+ isolates. A total of 129 (42%) isolates carried no fimbrial genes, including 66 (21.7%) isolates that did not have any of the above virulence genes. These results suggest a broad array of virulence genes associated with PWD in pigs.     

共表达K88/987p菌毛产肠毒素性大肠杆菌的分离鉴定及其卵黄抗体的制备

为制备针对一些大型养猪场产肠毒素性大肠杆菌(enterotrxigenic Escherichia coli,ETEC)分离株的特异性卵黄抗体(egg yolk immunoglobulin,IgY),试验对从这些养殖场分离的ETEC分离株菌毛基因类型进行了PCR鉴定,纯化该分离株的菌毛蛋白免疫蛋鸡制备IgY,对该IgY的效价、特异性和体外抑菌效果进行了检测。结果表明,该分离株具有K88和987p 两种菌毛基因,纯化后的分离株菌毛具有较强的免疫原性,经3次免疫后产生的IgY对K88和987p全菌和菌毛的效价可达到1:64 000,分离株菌毛IgY能特异地与K88和987p反应,与K99、F41无交叉反应,5 mg/mL分离株菌毛IgY在体外具有很好的抑菌效果。     

Protection against enteric colibacillosis in pigs suckling orally vaccinated dams: evidence for pili as protective antigens

Pregnant gilts were vaccinated orally with Escherichia coli that produced pilus antigens K99 or 987P. The vaccines were live or dead enterotoxigenic E coli (ETEC) or a liver rough non-ETEC strain which has little ability to colonize pig intestine. Pigs born to the gilts were challenge exposed orally with K99+ or 987P+ ETEC, which did not produce heat-labile enterotoxin or flagella and which produced somatic and capsular antigens different from those of the vaccine strains. Control gilts had low titers of serum and colostral antibodies against pilus antigens, and their suckling pigs frequently had fatal diarrhea after challenge exposure. Serum antibody titers against pilus antigens of the vaccine strains increased in the gilts after vaccination with liver ETEC, and the colostral antibody titers of these gilts were higher than those of controls. Pigs suckling such vaccinated gilts were more resistant than controls to challenge strains were of different pilus types, and it could not be attributed to enterotoxin neutralization by colostrum. In contrast to the live ETEC vaccines given to the pregnant gilts, the liver rough non-ETEC and dead ETEC vaccines stimulated little or no production of antibody against pilu, and the pigs born of these vaccinated gilts remained highly susceptible to challenge exposure. The results support the hypothesis that pilu can be protective antigens in oral ETEC vaccines. It was indicated that in the system reported, protection depended on living bacteria for the production of pilus antigens in vivo or for the transport of pilus antigens across intestinal epithelium.     

卵黄抗体对ETEC粘附仔猪小肠上皮细胞的体外抑制作用研究

采用热抽提法提取 4种肠毒素性大肠杆菌菌毛蛋白 :K88、K99、F41和 987p。分别制成单价或多价的菌毛蛋白白油佐剂抗原 ,对产蛋鸡进行胸部肌肉分点注射免疫 ,初免后 2周加强免疫 1次。收集高效价卵黄抗体。用所获得各卵黄抗体对体外分离的初生仔猪小肠上皮细胞进行体外粘附抑制试验。结果表明 ,各种菌毛卵黄抗体均能特异地显著抑制相应大肠杆菌对仔猪上皮细胞的粘附 ,而对其他血清型大肠杆菌对肠上皮细胞的粘附无抑制作用     

抗大肠埃希氏菌粘附素单克隆抗体诊断试剂的研制及其现场初步应用

作者从所研制的抗产肠毒素性大肠埃希氏菌(ETEC)粘附素K_(88)、K_(99)、987P和F_(41)单克隆抗体(以下简称单抗)44株中的7株,建立了检测以上粘附素抗原的单抗诊断试剂,并确定了以4单抗和3单抗夹心ELISA为特征的检测大批量临床样品的诊断方法与程序,对1038例自然发生下痢仔猪粪样ETEC粘附素的检测结果表明,本试验所建立的诊断方法与程序,具有敏感、准确、快速和简便的特点。     

Susceptibility of Chinese Meishan and European large white pigs to enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains bearing colonization factor K88, 987P, K99, or F41

Conventionally raised Chinese Meishan and European Large White pigs were intragastrically challenge exposed with 2.1 x 10(10) enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains bearing colonization factor K88, 987P, F41, or F41 plus K99. In response to challenge exposure with the K88-positive (K88+) organisms, 96% of Large White pigs died within 48 hours, whereas none of the Meishan pigs died. Both breeds of pigs had similar susceptibility to strains bearing 987P or F41. Lastly, Meishan pigs were found to be more susceptible than Large White pigs to a strain expressing K99 and F41. In pigs with diarrhea, challenge-exposure strains intensively colonized the jejunum (10(8) to 10(10) bacteria/g of tissue) and, to less extent, the duodenum (except K88+ strain, which comprised 10(8)/g). In most cases, jejunal concentrations of the challenge-exposure strains were substantially lower in pigs that did not have diarrhea. Half the resistant Meishan pigs eliminated the K88+ strain from the intestines. Colostral antibody titer that agglutinated challenge-exposure strains did not differ between Meishan and Large White gilts. Results indicate that resistance of pigs to the K88+ strain did not extend to enterotoxigenic strains bearing other well-known factors. They indicate, in addition, that genetic resistance to K88+ strains described in pigs in Europe may exist in pigs in China.     

Prevalence of K88, K99, and 987P pili of Escherichia coli in neonatal pigs with enteric colibacillosis

One hundred nineteen live neonatal pigs with diarrhea less than or equal to 2 weeks old were euthanatized, and frozen sections of their ilea were submitted to an indirect fluorescent antibody technique to identify K88, K99, and 987P pili (also referred to as F-4, F-5, and F-6 pili, respectively) in Escherichia coli. Ten-centimeter ileal sections were used to determine numbers of lactose-fermenting bacteria. Of 52 pigs in which E coli pili were found, 14 had K88 (27%), 23 had K99 (44%), 13 had 987P (25%), and 2 had K88 and K99 simultaneously (4%). Numbers of lactose-fermenting bacteria were significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) higher in pigs with piliated E coli than in pigs without piliated E coli. Results of this study indicated that piliated E coli are a major cause of enteric disease in neonatal swine in Michigan, and that in pigs less than or equal to 2 weeks of age, K99 was the most frequently encountered pilus antigen.     

Nine DNA probes for detection of toxin and adhesin genes in Escherichia coli isolated from diarrhoeal disease in animals

DNA gene probes specific for genes encoding heat labile enterotoxin (LTI), heat stable enterotoxins (STIa, STII), vero cytotoxins (VT1, VT2), and adhesins K88 (F4), K99(F5), F41 and 987P(F6) were used to examine 873 isolates of E. coli from cases of diarrhoea (680 from pigs, 187 from cattle and six from sheep). A total of 188 were toxin gene positive and of these 84 belonged to the classical ETEC serogroups. Of the other 104 toxin gene positive strains, 80 hybridized with the VT2 probe of which 34 were from cases of porcine post-weaning diarrhoea belonging to serogroup 0138:K81 and 22 were untypable strains from cattle.     

Relationship between virulence and adherence of various enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains to isolated intestinal epithelial cells from Chinese Meishan and European large white pigs

In vitro adherence to intestinal epithelial cells by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains bearing K88, K99, F41, or 987P adhesins and of their variants not bearing adhesins (K88-, K99-, or F41-) was investigated in European Large White and Chinese Meishan pigs. Possible relationship between adherence and virulence was also examined. The K88-positive (K88+) strain strongly adhered to intestinal epithelial cells from 26 of 28 Large White pigs. This strain had previously been found to be highly virulent for Large White pigs. The only surviving pig was of nonadherent phenotype, and cells from 4 dehydrated moribund pigs had strong adherence. By contrast, the same K88+ strain found previously to have little pathogenicity for Meishan pigs adhered with variable intensity to cells from 17 of 23 Meishan pigs; correlation was not evident between adherence and virulence. The K99+ F41+ strain of porcine origin and the F41+ strain generally adhered strongly to cells from 24 and 23 Meishan pigs, respectively, and to cells from 25 of 26 Large White pigs. Correlation was not found between adherence and virulence for the 2 strains. A K99+ F41+ strain of bovine origin adhered to cells from 20 of 22 Meishan and 22 of 23 Large White pigs, and a K99- F41+ variant adhered to cells from 19 of 23 Meishan and 23 of 24 Large White pigs. The adhesin-negative variants never adhered to intestinal epithelial cells. Strain 987 known not to readily produce 987P adhesin after in vitro growth never adhered to cells during the test.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

仔猪大肠杆菌病K88-K99-987P-F41四价亚单位疫苗的研制Ⅳ.疫苗生产与免疫效力试验

选用4株带有K88、K99、987P、F41粘附素抗原的产肠毒素性大肠杆菌,分别接种于BBL、Minca、Slanetz和Minca培养基进行培养,将培养物加热提取粘附素抗原后,加入油佐剂制成四价亚单位疫苗。经成品检验合格后分别免疫小鼠和怀孕母猪,同时监测怀孕母猪抗体。最后1次免疫后15 d,分别用同源ETEC确定的攻毒剂量攻击。结果显示,经2次免疫后,K88、K99、987P、F41对小鼠的免疫保护率与1次免疫没有显著差异(P>0.05);对仔猪,1次免疫跟2次免疫均可显著地降低腹泻指数(P<0.05),2次免疫与1次免疫没有显著差异(P>0.05)。怀孕母猪免疫1周后(产前23 d)抗体开始上升,第2周(产前16 d)达到高峰。2次免疫后抗体迅速回升,第4周(产前2 d)达到最高峰,产后2 d抗体大幅度下跌,几近免疫前水平。二免母猪所产仔猪发病率明显低于一免母猪(P<0.05)。攻毒保护试验和抗体消长规律的结果表明,制备的仔猪大肠杆菌病K88-K99-987P-F41四价亚单位疫苗具有良好的免疫原性,能有效预防仔猪大肠杆菌病的发生。     

Duration of immunity and efficacy of an oil emulsion Escherichia coli bacterin in cattle

An oil emulsion Escherichia coli bacterin administered in 1- and 2-dose vaccination regimens was evaluated in beef cattle. Serologic responses to the K99 pilus antigen were monitored, and suckling offspring from vaccinated and nonvaccinated cows were inoculated with virulent, K99-positive, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. The degree of protection and duration of immunity conferred were determined in 2 respective studies. In the first study (study A), titers of pregnant cattle were determined from time of vaccination through calving (a 6- to 20-week period). Titers of 24 cows vaccinated with a single 2-ml dose of bacterin were compared with those of 24 cows given a 2-dose regimen and with those of 23 nonvaccinated cattle (contemporary controls). Inoculum consisting of 1.2 X 10(12) viable enterotoxigenic E coli/dose administered to nursing calves from these dams yielded 0% mortality (0 deaths/20 calves) in calves from 1-dose vaccinates, 6% mortality (1 death/18 calves) in calves from 2-dose vaccinates, and 37% mortality (7 deaths/19 calves) in calves from nonvaccinated dams. Study B was an extended evaluation conducted in cattle that were kept in the study up to 87 weeks from initial vaccination until calving. Serologic titers to the K99 pilus antigen were compared in 1-dose, 2-dose, and nonvaccinated cattle in groups of 8, 6, and 6, respectively. Calves from these dams were inoculated with 8.1 X 10(11) viable enterotoxigenic E coli/dose, which resulted in 0% mortality (0 deaths/5 calves) in calves from 1-dose vaccinates, 0% mortality (0 deaths/5 calves) in calves from 2-dose vaccinates, and 80% mortality (5 deaths/6 calves) in calves from nonvaccinated dams.     

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) in farm animals.

Animal diseases due to enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) typically appear as severe watery diarrhoea during the first few days of life (also a few days after weaning in pigs). ETEC adhere to the small intestinal microvilli without inducing morphological lesions and produce enterotoxins acting locally on enterocytes. This action results in the hypersecretion (of water and electrolytes) and reduced absorption. Adhesins and toxins are the two prominent virulence attributes of ETEC and the level of knowledge of these factors determines the chances for successful prevention and therapy of the disease. For animal ETEC the most common adhesins are the fimbriae (pili) on the surface: F4(K88), F5(K99), F6(987P), F41, F42, F165, F17 and F18. Enterotoxins (extracellular proteins or peptides) of animal ETEC are classified as heat-labile (LT) and heat-stable (ST) enterotoxins with further subdivisions (LTh-I, LTp-I, LTIIa, LTIIb, STaH, STaP, STb) according to antigenic and biological differences. Fimbriae and LT enterotoxins are made up of large molecular weight proteins which facilitate their utilisation in vaccines and their detection using immunodiagnostic systems. The adhesive fimbriae and enterotoxins of animal ETEC are plasmid determined (except F41 and F17). Virulence gene probes (DNA hybridisation, PCR) are specific and sensitive diagnostic and epidemiologic tools for the detection of ETEC. Based on genetic typing, the ETEC, in spite of limited serogroups, seem to represent a population of E. coli with a diverse genetic background.     

Colonization of the small intestine of weaned pigs by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli that lack known colonization factors.

Intestinal colonization of 3-week-old weaned pigs by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains that were originally isolated from weaned pigs with fatal diarrhea and that lacked K88, K99, F41, and 987P adhesins (4P- ETEC) was studied by histologic, immunofluorescent, and electron microscopic techniques. In the first experiment, 16 principal pigs were inoculated orogastrically with ETEC strain 2134 (serogroup O157: H19) or 2171 (serogroup 0141:H4), and eight control pigs were not inoculated. In the second experiment, 24 principals were inoculated with ETEC strain 2134, and 12 controls were inoculated with a nonenterotoxigenic strain of E. coli. Principal and control pigs were necropsied at intervals from 24 to 72 hours after inoculation of principals to provide the tissues used for this report. Results from the two experiments and with both ETEC strains were similar and therefore were combined. Adhesion by 4P- ETEC was demonstrated in ileum but not in cecum or colon in 22/40 principal pigs sampled at 24 to 72 hours after orogastric inoculation. Adherent bacteria were most apparent on the intestinal villi covering Peyer's patches. Only occasional adherent bacteria were detected in ileal sections from a few (4/20) of the control pigs. Adherence by 4P- ETEC was characterized by "patches" of bacteria closely associated with the lateral surfaces and less frequently with the tips and the bases of intact villi. In most cases, the adherent bacteria were separated from epithelial cell microvilli and other bacterial cells by a 50-400-nm space. Filamentous bacterial appendages bridged this space and formed a network among adjacent bacteria.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Pathogenicity of porcine enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli that do not express K88, K99, F41, or 987P adhesins.

Three-week-old weaned and colostrum-deprived neonatal (less than 1 day old) pigs were inoculated to determine the pathogenicity of 2 enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli isolates that do not express K88, K99, F41, or 987P adhesins (strains 2134 and 2171). Strains 2134 and 2171 were isolated from pigs that had diarrhea after weaning attributable to enterotoxigenic E coli infection. We found that both strains of E coli adhered in the ileum and caused diarrhea in pigs of both age groups. In control experiments, adherent bacteria were not seen in the ileum of pigs less than 1 day old or 3 weeks old that were noninoculated or inoculated with a nonpathogenic strain of E coli. These control pigs did not develop diarrhea. Antisera raised against strains 2134 and 2171 and absorbed with the autologous strain, grown at 18 C, were used for bacterial-agglutination and colony-immunoblot assays. Both absorbed antisera reacted with strains 2134 and 2171, but not with strains that express K99, F41, or 987P adhesins. A cross-reaction was observed with 2 wild-type K88 strains, but not with a K12 strain that expresses K88 pili. Indirect immunofluorescence with these absorbed antisera revealed adherent bacteria in frozen sections of ileum from pigs infected with either strain. We concluded that these strains are pathogenic and express a common surface antigen that may be a novel adhesin in E coli strains that cause diarrhea in weaned pigs.     

肠毒素性大肠杆菌菌毛对产蛋鸡免疫性的研究

采用热抽提法提取4种肠毒素性大肠杆菌菌毛蛋白。K88、K99、F41和987p菌毛蛋白分别制成弗氏佐剂苗;K88还制成白油佐剂苗,氢氧化铝胶苗和蜂胶佐剂苗;另将4种菌毛等比例混合制成弗氏佐剂苗。分别对产蛋鸡进行免疫,用微量凝集反应和血凝抑制试验检测卵黄抗体效价。结果表明,K88菌毛较其他3种菌毛免疫性好,诱导抗体效价最高而且能长时间维持;987p菌毛能快速诱导抗体的产生,但整体效价低。K88不同佐剂苗中,铝胶佐剂能较快地诱导抗体的产生,蜂胶佐剂苗抗体持续时间短,弗氏佐剂能诱导高效价的抗体产生而且能长时间持续。     

Phenotypic expression of K88 adhesin alone or simultaneously with K99 and/or F41 adhesins in the bovine enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain B41

F41-positive and F41-negative derivatives of bovine enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain B41 carrying K88 or K88 and K99 plasmids were investigated for stability and expression of genes for their fimbrial antigens. Either K88 plasmid alone or both K88 and K99 plasmids could be maintained in these strains though stability could depend on culture medium. K99 antigen could be detected in each strain bearing K99 plasmid. Clones that produced K88 antigen or clones that did not produce this antigen could be isolated from each strain, except from the strain that possessed K99 plasmid in the strain that did not possess the ability to produce F41 antigen. Strains possessing K88 plasmid in the strain able to produce F41 antigen produced clones expressing either both K88 and F41 antigens, (also F41 appeared strongly expressed in some clones) or clones that produced only F41 antigen or no antigen at all. Clones that produced only K88 antigen or others that did not produce this antigen could be produced from a strain bearing only K88 plasmid and that did not possess the ability to produce F41 antigen. None of these strains bearing K88 plasmid alone or additionally K99 plasmid produced mannose-resistant hemagglutination of horse or sheep erythrocytes at 20°C as found for K99 and F41 ETEC natural strains, respectively. These results suggested that the structures of pili when several genetic determinants were present simultaneously may not be identical to those of original strains. In this study, clones expressing either one, two or three adhesin bearing antigens could be obtained from the strain B41.     

Immune response of swine vaccinated with a group E Streptococcus whole-culture bacterin

Swine (n = 10) were given a concentrated whole-culture adsorbate bacterin made from group E Streptococcus (GES). Two doses of bacterin were given subcutaneously 3 weeks apart. Control swine (n = 10) were given a blank preparation made from sterile culture medium. Swine were challenge exposed 3 weeks after the 2nd injection of bacterin by being penned continuously for 8 weeks with carrier swine infected with GES. A significant (P less than or equal to 0.009) immune response to vaccination with the bacterin was observed. Vaccinated swine, but not control swine, developed antibodies to an antiphagocytic factor (as detected with bactericidal and long-chain tests) before challenge exposure. Vaccinated swine also developed 51.2% (20 vs 41) fewer abscesses after challenge exposure than did control swine. Control swine developed a greater serologic response to challenge exposure, indicating a more extensive infection with GES.