Issue |
Vet. Res.
Volume 40, Number 6, November-December 2009
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Number of page(s) | 11 | |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/vetres/2009044 | |
Published online | 30 July 2009 | |
How to cite this article | Vet. Res. (2009) 40:61 |
DOI: 10.1051/vetres/2009044
Protection of budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) against Chlamydophila psittaci challenge by DNA vaccination
Taher Harkinezhad, Katelijn Schautteet and Daisy VanrompayDepartment of Molecular Biotechnology, Ghent University, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Received 28 January 2009; accepted 29 July 2009; published online 30 July 2009
Abstract - Plasmid DNA (pcDNA1::MOMP A) expressing the major outer membrane
protein (MOMP) of Chlamydophila psittaci genotype A strain 89/1051 has been tested for its
ability to induce protective
immunity against Cp. psittaci challenge in budgerigars. Eight pairs of male
and female budgerigars were
housed in eight separate bird cages placed in two negative pressure
isolators, four cages per group. All
budgerigars were immunised twice intramuscularly with 100 g plasmid DNA.
Both groups received a
primary DNA inoculation at day 0 followed by a booster inoculation 3 weeks
later. Group 1 received
pcDNA1::MOMP A, while group 2 received the placebo vaccine pcDNA1.
Budgerigars were challenged by
aerosol 2 weeks following the booster vaccination. The challenge consisted
of 108 TCID50 of the
homologous Cp. psittaci genotype A strain. Cloacal and pharyngeal swabs of
all budgerigars, taken prior to
the experimental infection were negative in both PCR and culture. However,
all budgerigars showed low
pre-existing serum antibody titres. This indicates that animals were
previously infected. Nevertheless, DNA
immunisation could significantly reduce clinical signs, macroscopic lesions,
pharyngeal and cloacal
excretion as well as chlamydial replication, even in the presence of
pre-existing serum antibodies, as
compared to the placebo-vaccinated controls.
Key words: Chlamydophila psittaci / budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) / DNA vaccination / MOMP
Corresponding author: Katelijn.Schautteet@UGent.be
© INRA, EDP Sciences 2009