Abstract
Necrotic enteritis toxin B (NetB) is a pore-forming toxin produced by Clostridium perfringens and has been shown to play a key role in avian necrotic enteritis, a disease causing significant costs to the poultry production industry worldwide. The aim of this work was to determine whether immunization with a non-toxic variant of NetB (NetB W262A) and the C-terminal fragment of C. perfringens alpha-toxin (CPA247-370) would provide protection against experimental necrotic enteritis. Immunized birds with either antigen or a combination of antigens developed serum antibody levels against NetB and CPA. When CPA247-370 and NetB W262A were used in combination as immunogens, an increased protection was observed after oral challenge by individual dosing, but not after in-feed-challenge.
Keywords:
Clostridium perfringens; NetB; alpha-toxin; immunization; necrotic enteritis.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antibodies, Bacterial / blood*
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Antigens, Bacterial / genetics
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Antigens, Bacterial / immunology
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Bacterial Toxins / genetics
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Bacterial Toxins / immunology*
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Belgium
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Calcium-Binding Proteins / genetics
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Calcium-Binding Proteins / immunology*
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Chickens
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Clostridium Infections / immunology
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Clostridium Infections / microbiology
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Clostridium Infections / prevention & control
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Clostridium Infections / veterinary*
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Clostridium perfringens / immunology*
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Enteritis / immunology
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Enteritis / microbiology
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Enteritis / prevention & control
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Enteritis / veterinary*
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Enterotoxins / genetics
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Enterotoxins / immunology*
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Female
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Immunization / veterinary
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Male
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Necrosis / veterinary
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Poultry Diseases / immunology
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Poultry Diseases / microbiology
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Poultry Diseases / prevention & control*
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Type C Phospholipases / genetics
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Type C Phospholipases / immunology*
Substances
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Antibodies, Bacterial
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Antigens, Bacterial
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Bacterial Toxins
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Calcium-Binding Proteins
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Enterotoxins
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NetB protein, Clostridium perfringens
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Type C Phospholipases
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alpha toxin, Clostridium perfringens