Evaluation the efficacy of oral immunization of broiler chickens with a recombinant Lactobacillus casei vaccine vector expressing the Carboxy-terminal fragment of α-toxin from Clostridium perfringens

Abstract

Background Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) is a serious anaerobic enteric pathogen causing necrotic enteritis (NE) in broiler chickens. Following the ban on antibiotics as growth promoters in animal feedstuffs, there has been a remarkable rise in occurrence of NE which resulted in considering alternative approaches, particularly vaccination. The objective of this work was to evaluate the recombinant Lactobacillus casei (L. casei) expressing the C-terminal domain of α-toxin from C. perfringens as a potential probiotic-based vaccine candidate to immunize the broiler chickens against NE. Results The broiler chickens immunized orally with recombinant vaccine strain were significantly protected against experimental NE challenge, and developed specific serum anti-α antibodies. Additionally, the immunized birds showed higher body weight gains compared with control groups during the challenge experiment. Conclusions The current study showed that oral immunization of broiler chickens with a safe probiotic-based vector vaccine expressing α-toxin from C. perfringens could provide protective immunity against NE in birds.

The Effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SC06 on Behavior and Brain Function in Broilers Infected by Clostridium perfringens

“…CP type A can produce a large amount of alpha toxins, which are one of the main toxins that cause NE. The alpha toxin of CP type A can disrupt the target cell membrane by hydrolyzing the components of the host cell membrane, leading to endocytosis and cell death [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. In addition, the alpha toxin of CP type A can breach the blood-brain barrier and invade the neuronal cytoplasm of the medulla oblongata [ 11 ].…”

Oral immunization with acidified sucralfate@N-2-HACC/CMCS NPs elicits protective immune response in guinea pigs

“…In previous studies, oral immunization with the canine distemper virus (CDV) vaccine can produce a signi cant immune response in mice, a nding that provides a reference for immunizing wildlife with CDV vaccines [6]. Oral immunization with the Clostridium perfringens vaccine can signi cantly increase the expression of speci c anti-α antibodies and protect chickens from necrotic enteritis disease [7], and oral immunization with the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and ovalbumin vaccine produce more IgG2a and improve immunity to pathogen infections [8]. Although oral immunization has many advantages compared to injected parenteral immunization, it should be highlighted that a mucosal delivery system via oral vaccination administration is essential to protect the vaccine from gastric degradation, enhance antigen absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, trigger adaptive immune responses [9], and cross the intestinal epithelial barrier [10].…”