Production of the phospholipase D and heat-shock protein [HSP]-60 recombinant proteins from Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis

Background: Caseous lymphadenitis, caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, is one of the most important diseases of sheep and goats, causing considerable losses for herd owners. Phospholipase D [PLD] is a potent exotoxin produced by C. pseudotuberculosis and it has been considered as the major virulence factor for this bacterium, possibly contributing to the spread of the bacteria from the initial site of infection to secondary sites within the host. Heat shock proteins [HSPs] are important candidates for the development of vaccines because they are usually able to promote both humoral and cellular immune re-sponses in mammals

Objectives: The aim of this study was the cloning and expression of the PLD and HSP genes of C. pseudotuberculosis

Methods: PLD and HSP[60] genes were cloned into pMAL-c2X vector and recombinant plasmids construct was transformed to DH[5] strain of E. coll. Expression of the proteins was shown by SDS-PAGE and accuracy of the cloned genes was confirmed by nucleo-tide sequence analysis

Results: The transformed E. coll strain DH[5] expressed PLD and HSP60 proteins effectively. The expressed fusion protein was found almost entirely in the soluble form

Conclusions: In the following studies the immunogenicity and protectivity of these recombinant proteins against C. pseudotuberculosis infections can be assessed

Feline herpesvirus 1 infections in a domestic cat population in Ahvaz, Iran

Feline herpesvirus 1 [FeHV-1] and feline calicivirus [FCV], associated with upper respiratory tract disease, are highly prevalent in cats worldwide. With the aim of investigating the importance of FeHV-1 in a population of cats, samples were taken in a hospital in Ahvaz, south-west Iran, between June 2007 and June 2008. Oropharyngeal, nasal and ocular swabs were collected from 65 domestic cats, including 52 stray and 13 household animals and were tested for the presence of FeHV-1 DNA by polymerase chain reaction [PCR]. The overall prevalence rate of FeHV-1 was 35.38%. There was a statistically significant association between the prevalence rate of FeHV-1 and the presence of respiratory signs. High prevalence of FeHV-1 infection strengthens the importance of applying hygienic and preventive measures in cats in the study area

Serological study of bovine viral diarrhoea virus infection of cattle in Ahwaz

In order to investigate the prevalence of infection with bovine viral diarrhoea virus [BVDV] of cattle in Ahvaz, blood samples were collected from jugular vein of 572 cattle [521 female, 51 male] from industrial and nonindustrial farms. Sera were stored at -20?C while waiting for analysis. The sera were tested by ELISA, using a commercial ELISA kit for detection of specific antibody to bovine viral diarrhoea virus [BVDV]. The results were analyzed by chi- square test. 163 [28.5%] Out of the sera samples were positive. The results showed the seropositivities of 29.55%, 17.64%, 75% and 23.34% in female, male and animals in industrial and non- industrial farms, respectively. Moreover, there were significant differences between male and female and between industrial and non-industrial farms [p < 0.05]