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Infection and Immunity, June 2008, p. 2594-2602, Vol. 76, No. 6
0019-9567/08/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/IAI.01452-07
Copyright © 2008, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Escherichia coli O157:H7 Colonization in Cattle following Systemic and Mucosal Immunization with Purified H7 Flagellin

Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik EH26 0PZ, United Kingdom,¹ Animal Health Group, Scottish Agricultural College, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, United Kingdom,² Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, United Kingdom,³ Centre for Infectious Diseases, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Chancellor's Building, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, United Kingdom,⁴ Institute for Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow Veterinary School, Glasgow G61 1QH, United Kingdom⁵

Received 29 October 2007/ Returned for modification 16 December 2007/ Accepted 16 March 2008

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is an important pathogen of humans. Cattle are most frequently identified as the primary source of infection, and therefore, reduction in E. coli O157:H7 prevalence in cattle by vaccination represents an attractive strategy for reducing the incidence of human disease. H7 flagella have been implicated in intestinal-epithelial colonization of E. coli O157:H7 and may represent a useful target for vaccination. In this study, calves were immunized either systemically with H7 flagellin by intramuscular injection or mucosally via the rectum with either H7 or H7 incorporated into poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) microparticles (PLG:H7). Systemic immunization resulted in high levels of flagellin-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA in both serum and nasal secretions and detectable levels of both antibody isotypes in rectal secretions. Rectal administration of flagellin resulted in levels of rectal IgA similar to those by the intramuscular route but failed to induce any other antibody response, whereas rectal immunization with PLG:H7 failed to induce any H7-specific antibodies. Following subsequent oral challenge with E. coli O157:H7, reduced colonization rates and delayed peak bacterial shedding were observed in the intramuscularly immunized group compared to nonvaccinated calves, but no reduction in total bacterial shedding occurred. Rectal immunization with either H7 or PLG:H7 had no effect on subsequent bacterial colonization or shedding. Furthermore, purified H7-specific IgA and IgG from intramuscularly immunized calves were shown to reduce intestinal-epithelial binding in vitro. These results indicate that H7 flagellin may be a useful component in a systemic vaccine to reduce E. coli O157:H7 colonization in cattle.

Published ahead of print on 24 March 2008.

Editor: A. Camilli

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Bretschneider, G., Berberov, E. M., Moxley, R. A. (2008). Enteric mucosal antibodies to Escherichia coli O157:H7 in adult cattle. Vet Rec. 163: 218-219 [Full Text]