An animal model to evaluate the protective efficacy of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Haemophilus influenzae</Emphasis> type b conjugate vaccines

An efficacy test of PRP (polyribosylribitol phosphate)-TT (Tetanus toxoid) conjugate vaccines was carried out using BALB/c mice as an animal model by inoculatingHaemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) with a virulence enhancement factor (VEF). Three administrations of the conjugate vaccines at 2-week intervals elicited a significantly high level of PRP antibodies (P<0.0001). The protective activity of the PRP immunization was challenged with either Hib with iron dextran (Hibi) or with a combination of mucin and hemoglobin (Hibmh) as a VEF. The medium lethal dose (LD₅₀) for Hibmh and Hibi was measured as 10 CFU (Colony Forming Unit) and 2.5×10⁸ CFU respectively. Each immunized animal was challenged with five or ten times the LD₅₀ level of bacteria with a VEF. A significant difference in mortality between the immunized and control mice (P<0.01) was observed with the Hibmh challenge inoculation but not with the Hibi challenge inoculation. These results show that a combination of mucin and hemoglobin was able to ehance the virulence of Hib in BALB/c mice to cause a lethal infection, thus suggesting that BALB/c mice introduced to this method can be an effective model animal for testing the protective efficacy ofH. influenzae conjugate vaccines.     

Mice Immunization with Radioattenuated Yeast Cells of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paracoccidiodes brasiliensis</Emphasis>: Influence of the Number of Immunizations

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is the agent of paracoccidioidomycosis, the most prevalent mycosis in Latin America. Up to the moment no vaccine has been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the number of immunizations on the protection elicited by radioattenuated yeast cells of P. brasiliensis. BALB/c mice were divided into two groups that were immunized once (Group 1) or twice (Group 2), respectively. In each group, mice were divided into sub-groups that were challenged 30, 45, or 60 days after the second immunization. Organ colony-forming units (CFUs) was determined 90 days post-challenge. A significant reduction in CFUs recovery was verified in both groups, but it was higher in Group 2. Histologic alterations were observed only in Group 1. The cytokines IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ were produced in mice of Group 1. In Group 2, only IFN-γ was significantly detected. IgG2a predominance relative to IgG1 was also observed in Group 2. Altogether, our results indicated that mice immunized once developed a mixed Th1/Th2 response, which was less efficient in the infection control, while a trend to a Th1 pattern was obtained with two immunizations, promoting optimal elimination of P. brasiliensis yeast cells from mice tissues.     

Cyclosporin A Treatment and Decreased Fungal Load/Antigenemia in Experimental Murine Paracoccidioidomycosis

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis caused by the fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb). The cyclosporin A (CsA) is an immunosuppressant drug that inhibits calcineurin and has been described as a potential antifungal drug. The present study investigated the effect of CsA on the immune response, fungal load/antigenemia in experimental murine PCM. It was used four groups of BALB/c mice: (a) infected with 1 × 10⁵ Pb18 yeast cells (Pb), (b) infected and treated with CsA every other day 10 mg/kg of CsA (s.c.) during 30 days (Pb/CsA), (c) treated with CsA (CsA) and (d) no infected/treated (PBS). The immune response was evaluated by lymphocyte proliferation, DTH assays to exoAgs, ELISA for IgG anti-gp43 (specific immune responses) and cytokine serum levels (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4 and IL-10). Fungal load was determined by lung colony-forming units (CFU) counts, lung and liver histopathology analysis and antigenemia determined by inhibition-ELISA. As expected, CsA was able to inhibit the specific cellular and humoral immune response (P < 0.05), with decrease in serum IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-4 levels (P < 0.05). Cyclosporin A treatment also resulted in significantly decreased lung Pb CFU (P < 0.05) as well as a lower number of yeasts in the lung and liver (P < 0.05) by histopathology. In concordance, the decreased antigenemia was observed in Pb/CsA group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, even with immunosuppressive action, treatment with CsA results in decreased lung fungal load/antigenemia in experimental PCM in BALB/c mice. Further study is required to determine whether this represents less severe disease or protection by CsA.     

Immune Response to Nocardia brasiliensis Extracellular Antigens in Patients with Mycetoma

The ability of culture-filtrate proteins to induce a cellular immune response in infected mice and humans was investigated. A crude extract culture filtrate of Nocardia brasiliensis (CFA) and five semi-purified CFA fractions (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5) were used to stimulate BALB/c mice spleen-cell cultures. The animals were divided into three groups: the first group was infected with 1 × 10⁷ CFU of N. brasiliensis in the footpad, the second group was immunized with heat-killed bacteria, and the third was injected with sterile saline. IFN-γ, IL-1α, and IL-4 concentrations were determined in culture supernatants. Protein fractions eliciting IFN-γ production in mice, as well as the CFA, were used to stimulate IFN-γ production and in vitro cell proliferation assays with peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with actinomycetoma by N. brasiliensis, individuals with pulmonary tuberculosis, and healthy controls. In mice, CFA and three of the protein fractions (P3, P4 and P5) induced significant IFN-γ production in the infected group. In humans, only the CFA-induced IFN-γ production and cell proliferation in the group of patients with actinomycetoma. There was no stimulation in tuberculosis patients nor healthy controls. These results suggest that some culture-filtrate antigens are recognized by patients with active actinomycetoma and do not cross-react with M. tuberculosis antigens, being therefore potential candidates to develop a diagnostic test.     

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and P. lutzii Antigens Elicit Different Serum IgG Responses in Chronic Paracoccidioidomycosis

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis caused by the fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (S1, PS2, and PS3) and by the new species, P. lutzii. Considering that genetic differences in the Paracoccidioides genus could elicit distinct immune responses by the host, current research investigated serum IgG levels to antigens from P. brasiliensis B339 (S1), P. brasiliensis LDR3 (PS2), and atypical strain LDR2 (P. lutzii), in patients with chronic PCM from the northern and west regions of Paraná, Brazil (n = 35). Cell-free antigen (CFA) and high molecular mass fraction (hMM) were produced from each strain. Samples were analyzed by ELISA and immunodiffusion (ID). ELISA positivity using CFA: B339-100 %, LDR3-83 %, and LDR2-74 %. Response to CFA from B339 was more intense (p < 0.05), while there was no difference between LDR3-LDR2. IgG anti-hMM was higher for antigens from B339 or LDR3, when compared with LDR2 (p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation for each strain between CFA-hMM and for hMM between B339-LDR3 and LDR3-LDR2. ID positivity with CFA: B339-63 %, LDR3-66 %, and LDR2-60 %. We conclude that the intensity of reaction of the patients’ sera varies with the strain used; hMM influences tests that use CFA, independently of strain; using ID, positive rates were very similar, but there was a large number of false negative results; ELISA tests using antigens from P. brasiliensis S1 were able to detect a larger number of patients than PS2 and P. lutzii (which had a considerable number of false negative results), and therefore, its use may be more appropriate in this region of Brazil.     

Therapeutic treatment with scFv–PLGA nanoparticles decreases pulmonary fungal load in a murine model of paracoccidioidomycosis

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis with lymphatic dissemination that is caused by Paracoccidioides species. Treatment of PCM consists of chemotherapeutics such as itraconazole, trimethoprim, sulfamethoxazole or amphotericin B. However, several studies are aiming to develop therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of fungal infection using new molecules as adjuvants. The single-chain variable fragments (scFv) from an antibody that mimics the main fungal component incorporated within poly(lactide-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles helped treat the fungal disease. After expressing the scFv in Picchia pastoris (P. pastoris), the recombinant molecules were coupled with PLGA, and the BALB/c mice were immunized before or after infection with yeast Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (P. brasiliensis). Our results showed decreased disease progression and decreased fungal burden. Taken together, our results showed an increased of IFN-γ and IL-12 cytokine production and an increased number of macrophages and dendritic cells in the pulmonary tissue of BALB/c mice treated with a high concentration of our molecule. Our data further confirm that the scFv plays an important role in the treatment of experimental PCM.     

Effect of active immunization against a recombinant mouse granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor/somatostatin fusion protein on the growth of mice

Female BALB/c mice were actively immunized subcutaneously with a recombinant protein of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) fused with somatostatin (SS) (GM-CSF/SS). Fifty-four days after the primary immunization, the body weight of the immunized mice increased by 4.62% compared with the control (P < 0.05), together with the induction of detectable serum antibodies against SS. The level of serum growth hormone (GH) elevated by 44.54% (P < 0.05) and the mRNA expression of muscular IGF-1 increased by 94% for the GM-CSF/SS-treated mice. The results indicated that the recombinant protein GM-CSF/SS was efficient in inducing specific immunity against SS, subsequently leading to the increase of the GH level by SS neutralization, and ultimately improving the growth of mice.     

Effect of bovine lactoferrin in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmonella</Emphasis> ser. Typhimurium infection in mice

Lactoferrin (LF) has in vitro antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium causes systemic infection and acute diarrhea in humans, mainly in children younger than 2 years of age. The aim of the study was to determine the in vivo effect of bovine LF in Salmonella ser. Typhimurium infection in mice. 58 BALB/c mice were employed. Two hours before the infection with 300 μl of 10⁷ CFU of Salmonella ser. Typhimurium, 29 mice received LF (2 mg) and 29 placebo (buffer). After the infection, the mice received LF (10 mg/ml) ad libitum or buffer, respectively, for 7 days. Mortality, weight and clinical signs (piloerection, hunched position and reduced movement) were monitored daily. The degree of inflammation and necrosis in the intestine, liver, spleen and brain were studied with a blinded observer. The mortality in the control group (8/29) was higher than in the LF group (1/29) (Kapplan Meier P < 0.05). From the third day post-infection the control group were significantly more symptomatic (P < 0.05). The blood culture for Salmonella spp. was positive for all mice studied in the control group (17/17), but positive in the LF group in only 6/17 animals (P < 0.05). In the LF group, the pathologic studies show less inflammation and focal necrosis in the four organs studied, with the greatest difference found in the intestine. Bovine LF protects against Salmonella ser. Typhimurium infection in mice, reducing the severity, mortality and the degree of inflammation of this infection.     

牛种布鲁氏菌2308不同途径小鼠感染模型的建立与评估

[背景] 布鲁氏菌可经口、皮肤、黏膜和呼吸道感染人和动物。小鼠是布鲁氏菌研究中最常用的模型动物。[目的] 建立牛种布鲁氏菌2308不同途径和剂量感染BALB/c小鼠的模型,为布鲁氏菌小鼠感染试验提供参考。[方法] 用10¹-10⁵ CFU这5个不同感染剂量,分别经注射、口服和点眼方式感染BALB/c小鼠。在感染后不同时间点采集小鼠血清,检测IgG、IgM、IgA抗体含量、脾脏重量及脾脏含菌量,评价布鲁氏菌经不同途径感染BALB/c小鼠的效果。[结果] 10 CFU是注射感染BALB/c小鼠的最小感染剂量;10⁵ CFU是口服感染BALB/c小鼠的最小感染剂量。10¹-10⁵ CFU这5个不同感染剂量经点眼途径均未能成功感染BALB/c小鼠。在10⁵ CFU感染剂量下,口服与注射感染组小鼠每克脾脏平均含菌量分别为10^5.673 CFU/g和10^5.009 CFU/g,无显著差异（P>0.05）,但口服感染组小鼠脾脏平均重量为0.310 g,显著高于注射感染组0.165 g （P<0.01）。在试验期内,注射感染组和口服感染组小鼠体内IgG抗体的滴度均随感染时间延长而持续升高;整体上,口服感染组IgG抗体峰值显著高于注射感染组;2组IgM抗体变化趋势一致;口服感染组有2只小鼠在感染28 d后产生IgA抗体,注射感染组均未检测到IgA抗体。[结论] 建立了牛种布鲁氏菌2308通过不同途径感染BALB/c小鼠的模型。     

Influence of long-term treatment with pravastatin on the survival, evolution of cutaneous lesion and weight of animals infected by Leishmania amazonensis

The high toxicity of current drugs for treatment of leishmaniasis is a major hindrance for controlling the disease. Pravastatin is a well-known drug with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties that may modulate host defense mechanisms against Leishmania. We evaluated the influence of prolonged pravastatin treatment on the survival of Leishmania amazonensis-infected animals (BALB/c, C57BL6 mice and Syrian hamsters), including weekly measurement of cutaneous lesions (footpad thickness) and weight. Pravastatin improved survival of Leishmania-infected BALB/c mice but not of infected C57BL6 mice or hamsters. On the 50th week of follow-up, 71% of pravastatin-treated Leishmania-infected BALB/c mice were alive against 29% of control group (p < 0.01). Low footpad thickness was found on BALB/c pravastatin treated mice from the 14th week (p < 0.05), and 20th week onward for C57BL6 treated mice. Pravastatin treatment decreased weight loss in Leishmania-infected C57BL6 mice and Syrian hamsters, but not infected BALB/c mice. Our results points to beneficial effects of pravastatin on the evolution of the disease in the murine leishmaniasis model.     

High-level mucosal and systemic immune responses induced by oral administration with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus</Emphasis>-expressed porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) S1 region combined with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus</Emphasis>-expressed N protein

To develop effective mucosal vaccine formulation against porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) infection, the DNA fragments encoding spike protein immunodominant region S1 and nucleocapsid N of PEDV were inserted into pPG1 (surface-displayed) or pPG2 (secretory) plasmids followed by electrotransformation into Lactobacillus casei (Lc) to yield four recombinant strains: PG1-S1, PG2-S1, PG1-N, and PG2-N. After intragastric administration, it was observed that live Lc-expressing S1 protein combined with Lc-expressing N protein could elicit much more potent mucosal and systemic immune responses than the former alone (P < 0.001), however slightly inferior to the latter alone (P > 0.05). Furthermore, the surface-displayed mixture (PG1-S1+ PG1-N) revealed stronger immunogenicity than the secretory mixture (PG2-S1+ PG2-N) as well as PEDV-neutralizing potency in vitro (P < 0.001). On 49th day after the last immunization, splenocytes were prepared from mice immunized with surface-displayed mixture, secretory mixture and negative control to be stimulated by purified N and S protein, respectively. The results of ELISA analysis showed that N protein was capable of inducing a higher level of IL-4 (P < 0.001) and IFN-γ (P < 0.001) than S1 protein in the immunized mice. Taken together, Lc-expressed N protein as molecular adjuvant or immunoenhancer was able to effectively facilitate the induction of mucosal and systemic immune responses by Lc-expressing S1 region.     

Interferon-gamma and interleukin-4 single nucleotide gene polymorphisms in Paracoccidioidomycosis

The gene polymorphisms interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) +874 T/A and interleukin (IL)-4 −590 C/T have been associated with the altered production of cytokines. Therefore, they might be indicative of the occurrence of Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. The analysis of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at position +874 IFN-γ showed an increase occurrence of A/T genotype in both PCM patients and healthy individuals as control (HIC) (56% and 45%, respectively), while the allelic distribution showed 82% of A allele in the patients and 80% in the controls. The SNP of −590 IL-4 showed that C/T genotype was significantly (p < 0.05) more prevalent (39%) in PCM group compared to the HIC group (19%), while IL-4 C/C genotype was significantly less frequent (59%) in the patient group compared to the control group (81%). Otherwise, 41% of PCM patients and 19% of HIC individuals carried the IL-4 T allele. Stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from PCM patients with cell extract antigenic preparations (PbAg) as well as secreted and surface antigens (MEXO) of P. brasiliensis evidenced that there is no difference in the IFN-γ production related to A and T alleles between PCM and HIC individuals. However, with IL-4 production, PCM patients classified as C phenotype showed two times more IL-4 production than PCM patients classified as T phenotype and HIC controls. In conclusion, our results suggest that functional genetic variants in the IL-4 promoter could influence the production of IL-4 in PCM.     

Saccharomyces cerevisiae Expressing Gp43 Protects Mice against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Infection

The dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is the etiological agent of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). It is believed that approximately 10 million people are infected with the fungus and approximately 2% will eventually develop the disease. Unlike viral and bacterial diseases, fungal diseases are the ones against which there is no commercially available vaccine. Saccharomyces cerevisiae may be a suitable vehicle for immunization against fungal infections, as they require the stimulation of different arms of the immune response. Here we evaluated the efficacy of immunizing mice against PCM by using S. cerevisiae yeast expressing gp43. When challenged by inoculation of P. brasiliensis yeasts, immunized animals showed a protective profile in three different assays. Their lung parenchyma was significantly preserved, exhibiting fewer granulomas with fewer fungal cells than found in non-immunized mice. Fungal burden was reduced in the lung and spleen of immunized mice, and both organs contained higher levels of IL-12 and IFN-γ compared to those of non-vaccinated mice, a finding that suggests the occurrence of Th1 immunity. Taken together, our results indicate that the recombinant yeast vaccine represents a new strategy to confer protection against PCM.     

The role of liposome charge on immune response generated in BALB/c mice immunized with recombinant major surface glycoprotein of Leishmania (rgp63)

Liposomes as a lipid-based system have been shown to be an effective adjuvant formulation. In this study, the role of liposome charge in induction of a Th1 type of immune response and protection against leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice was studied. Liposomes containing rgp63 were prepared by Dehydration-Rehydration Vesicle (DRV) method. Neutral liposomes consisted of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and cholesterol. Positively and negatively charged liposomes were prepared by adding dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DDAB) or dicetyl phosphate (DCP) to the neutral liposome formulation, respectively. Female BALB/c mice were immunized subcutaneously with negatively, positively charged or neutral liposomes encapsulated with rgp63, rgp63 in soluble form or PBS, three times in 3 week intervals. The extent of protection and type of immune response generated were studied in different groups of mice. The group of mice immunized with rgp63 encapsulated in neutral liposomes showed a significantly (P < 0.01) smaller footpad swelling upon challenge with Leishmania major compared with positively or negatively charged liposomes. The mice immunized with neutral liposomes also showed a significantly (P < 0.01) the lowest splenic parasite burden, the highest IgG2a/IgG1 ratio and IFN-γ production and the lowest IL-4 level compared to the other groups. The results indicated that a Th1 type of immune response was induced in mice immunized with neutral liposomes more efficiently than positively charged liposomes and conversely negatively charged liposomes induced a Th2 type of immune response.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vivo</Emphasis> studies with a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida tropicalis</Emphasis> isolate exhibiting paradoxical growth <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> in the presence of high concentration of caspofungin

We investigated the activity of caspofungin against a Candida tropicalis clinical isolate showing paradoxical growth in vitro. BALB/c mice immunosuppressed by cyclophosphamide were infected intraperitoneally using 10⁷ CFU/mouse. Caspofungin was administered intraperitoneally once daily for 5 days or as a single dose using the following doses: 0.12, 0.25, 1, 2, 3, 5, and 15 mg/kg. The single dose of caspofungin was effective only at 5 and 15 mg/kg concentrations (100% survival). Five-day caspofungin treatment led to 100% survival at doses of 1 mg/kg or higher. Caspofungin treatment significantly decreased the number of viable yeasts in the peritoneal lavage samples as well as in the infected abscesses at doses 1, 3, 5, and 15 mg/kg caspofungin as compared to the untreated control (P<0.001 in all cases), and even to the group treated with 0.12 mg/kg caspofungin (P<0.05 in all cases). At 2 mg/kg caspofungin dose, sterilization of the internal organs was reproducibly incomplete, suggesting that the role of paradoxical growth in the late clinical failure cannot be excluded.     

B Cell-Deficient Mice Display Enhanced Susceptibility to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Infection

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a chronic granulomatous disease caused by the thermally dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. T helper 1 (Th1)-mediated immunity is primarily responsible for acquired resistance during P. brasiliensis infection. On the contrary, the susceptibility is associated with occurrence of type-2 immunity (Th2), which is characterized by IL-4 release, B cell activation, and production of antibodies. Although antibodies are frequently associated with severe PCM, it is not clear whether they contribute to susceptibility or merely constitute a marker of infection stage. Here, we assessed the function of B cells during experimental P. brasiliensis infection in mice, and our results showed that B cell-knockout (B^KO) mice are more susceptible than their wild-type littermate controls (C57BL/6, WT). The B^KO mice showed higher mortality rate, increased number of colony-forming units in the lungs, and larger granulomas than WT mice. In the absence of B cells, we observed high levels of IL-10, whereas IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-4 levels were similar between both groups. Finally, we showed that transference of WT immune serum to B^KO mice resulted in diminished infiltration of inflammatory cells and better organization of the pulmonary granulomas. Taken together, these data suggest that B cells are effectively involved in the control of P. brasiliensis growth and organization of the granulomatous lesions observed during the experimental PCM.     

Alginate microspheres encapsulated with autoclaved Leishmania major (ALM) and CpG-ODN induced partial protection and enhanced immune response against murine model of leishmaniasis

A suitable adjuvant and delivery system are needed to enhance efficacy of vaccines against leishmaniasis. In this study, alginate microspheres as an antigen delivery system and CpG-ODN as an immunoadjuvant were used to enhance immune response and induce protection against an experimental autoclaved Leishmania major (ALM) vaccine. Alginate microspheres were prepared by an emulsification technique and the characteristics of the preparation such as size, encapsulation efficiency and release profile of encapsulates were studied. Mean diameter of microspheres was determined using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) and particle size analyzer. The encapsulation efficiency was determined using Lowry protein assay method. The integrity of ALM antigens was assessed using SDS–PAGE. Mean diameter of microspheres was 1.8 ± 1.0 μm. BALB/c mice were immunized three times in 3-weeks intervals with ALM + CpG-ODN loaded microspheres [(ALM + CpG)_ALG], ALM encapsulated alginate microspheres [(ALM)_ALG], (ALM)_ALG + CpG, ALM + CpG, ALM alone or PBS. The intensity of infection induced by L. major challenge was assessed by measuring size of footpad swelling. The strongest protection was observed in group of mice immunized with (ALM + CpG)_ALG. The groups of mice received (ALM + CpG)_ALG, (ALM)_ALG + CpG, (ALM)_ALG and ALM + CpG were also showed a significantly (P < 0.05) smaller footpad swelling compared with the group that received either ALM alone or PBS. The mice immunized with (ALM + CpG)_ALG or ALM + CpG showed the significantly (P < 0.05) highest IgG2a/IgG1 ratio. The IFN-γ level was significantly (P < 0.0001) highest in group of mice immunized with either (ALM)_ALG + CpG or ALM + CpG. It is concluded that alginate microspheres and CpG-ODN adjuvant when are used simultaneously induced protection and enhanced immune response against ALM antigen.     

减毒沙门氏菌介导的小鼠肝炎病毒S1基因DNA疫苗的免疫特性分析

根据GenBank公开序列自行设计一对引物,通过RT-PCR扩增出小鼠肝炎病毒的全长S1基因,并将其插入真核表达质粒pVAX1中,构建出重组真核表达质粒pVAX1-S1。将重组质粒转染COS-7细胞,采用间接免疫荧光检测出S1蛋白的体外表达。将重组质粒转入减毒鼠伤寒沙门氏菌SL7207中,构建出运送DNA疫苗的重组沙门氏菌SL7207(pVAX1-S1)。分别以5×108CFU、1×109CFU、2×109CFU剂量的重组菌口服接种6周龄BALB/c小鼠,试验结果表明,重组菌对小鼠具有良好的安全性。以1×109CFU剂量的重组菌口服免疫小鼠,抗体检测结果显示,在二免后两周和三免后两周,重组菌免疫组的血清抗体水平与SL7207(pVAX1)空载体免疫组间分别存在显著性差异(P<0.05)和极显著性差异(P<0.01)。在三免后两周重组菌免疫组出现了较高水平的肠黏膜抗体。