Abstract:

Disease-reducing potential of increased immunity to shared lipopolysaccharide core antigens of Gram-negative bacteria by immunizing swine with Escherichia coli J5

Brad Fenwick, DVM, MS, PhD

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This paper introduces the concept of reducing the biologic, and thus economic effects of clinical and subclinical infections with Gram-negative bacteria in swine herds by increased immunity to shared lipopolysaccharide (LPS) core antigens. While the outermost elements of the LPS of various Gram-negative bacteria are structurally and antigenically unique, their substructures (core region and Lipid-A) are structurally and antigenically closely related. Studies in humans and various animal species furnish evidence that increased immunity to these common antigens provides protection from the consequences of infections with a wide variety of Gram-negative bacteria. The most popular means of providing this immunity is by immunization with a cell wall-deficient mutant of Escherichia coli (termed J5). The practice of immunizing dairy cattle with J5 has increased considerably during the past year. It is important that veterinarians and producers understand the scientific basis for this protection in order to critically evaluate the likelihood that immunization with E. coli J5 will be justified in the profitable production of pork.

Keywords: Escherichia coli, immunization


RIS citationCite as: Fenwick B. Disease-reducing potential of increased immunity to shared lipopolysaccharide core antigens of Gram-negative bacteria by immunizing swine with Escherichia coli J5. J Swine Health Prod 1995;3(2):58-62.

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