Protective effect of a dewaxed whole-cell vaccine against Mycobacterium ulcerans infection in mice. Issue 19 (5th May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Watanabe, Mineo; Nakamura, Hajime; Nabekura, Ryutaro; Shinoda, Noriko; Suzuki, Eri; Saito, Hajime
• Is Part Of: Vaccine. Volume 33:Issue 19(2015)
• Page Start: 2232
• Page End: 2239
• Publication Date: 2015-05-05
• Subjects: Buruli ulcer -- Mycobacterium ulcerans -- mycolactone -- Neglected tropical disease; Vaccines -- Periodicals; 615.372
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.03.046
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-410X

Abstract

Highlights: We developed a dewaxed whole cells vaccine against Mycobacterium ulcerans . The vaccine was highly effective in a mouse model of Buruli ulcer. The vaccine induced Th2 -dependent immune response against M. ulcerans . Serum IgG against M. ulcerans in vaccinated mice was correlated with protection. Abstract: Mycobacterium ulcerans causes Buruli ulcer, a chronic and destructive necrotizing ulcer in humans. Effective vaccination should be one of the best methods for the prevention of this ulcer. However, no effective vaccines have been developed against M. ulcerans infection. In an effort to develop such a vaccine, we examined protective immunity against M. ulcerans infection in a mouse footpad-infection model. Prior infection of mice with a virulent strain of M. ulcerans or a mycolactone-deficient strain of M. ulcerans resulted in limited protection against subsequent challenge by a virulent strain of M. ulcerans . Protection was not induced in mice immunized with a formalin-treated killed whole-cell preparation of M. ulcerans . By contrast, a dewaxed whole-cell vaccine, prepared by dewaxing M. ulcerans with organic solvents that removed mycolactones and waxy cell walls from the cells, induced significant protection in mice. Our observations should facilitate development of effective vaccines against Buruli ulcer for control of this disease.