Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is a major porcine pathogen causing meningitis, arthritis and several other pathologies. Recently, we identified a highly specific immunoglobulin M degrading enzyme of S. suis, designated IdeSsuis, which is expressed by various serotypes. The objective of this work was to access the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a recombinant vaccine including IdeSsuis. Vaccination with rIdeSsuis elicited antibodies efficiently neutralizing the IgM protease activity. Importantly, 18 piglets vaccinated with rIdeSsuis alone or in combination with bacterin priming were completely protected against mortality and severe morbidity after S. suis serotype 2 challenge. In contrast, 12 of the 17 piglets either treated with the placebo or primed with the bacterin only, succumbed to S. suis disease. Immunity against IdeSsuis was associated with increased killing of S. suis wt in porcine blood ex vivo leading to a tenfold difference in the bacterial survival factor in blood of placebo-treated and rIdeSsuis-vaccinated piglets. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that rIdeSsuis is a highly protective antigen in pigs.
Keywords: Bactericidal assay; IgM protease; Neutralizing antibodies; Pigs; Streptococcus suis.
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