Generation and evaluation of a Glaesserella parasuis capsular mutant

Authors: EBERLE, KIRSTEN - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE); HAU, SAMANTHA - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE); LUAN, SHI-LU - University Of Cambridge; WEINERT, LUCY - University Of Cambridge; Stasko, Judith; WANG, JINHONG - University Of Cambridge; PETERS, SARAH - University Of Cambridge; LANGFORD, PAUL - Imperial College; RYCROFT, ANDREW - Royal Veterinary College; WREN, BRENDAN - London School Of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine; MASKELL, DUNCAN - University Of Cambridge; TUCKER, ALEXANDER - University Of Cambridge; Brockmeier, Susan

Submitted to: Infection and Immunity
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/14/2020
Publication Date: 4/20/2020
Citation: Eberle, K.C., Hau, S.J., Luan, S., Weinert, L., Stasko, J.A., Wang, J., Peters, S.E., Langford, P.R., Rycroft, A., Wren, B.W., Maskell, D.J., Tucker, A.W., Brockmeier, S. 2020. Generation and evaluation of a Glaesserella parasuis capsular mutant. Infection and Immunity. 88(5):e00879-19. https://doi.org/10.1128/IAI.00879-19.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/IAI.00879-19

Interpretive Summary: Glaesserella parasuis causes Glasser’s disease in pigs. Isolates are defined by capsule, surface sugars that protect G. parasuis from the immune system. We made a mutant of G. parasuis HS069 that is unable to produce capsule. This mutant did not cause disease in pigs and was more susceptible to being killed by the immune system The mutant was also quickly cleared from the pigs, which may limit its ability to cause disease. We tested the mutant’s vaccine potential. The mutant did not induce high antibody titers and vaccinated animals were not protected from challenge. We conclude capsule is very important for colonization of the nose and protecting G. parasuis from the immune system.

Technical Abstract: Glaesserella parasuis causes Glasser’s disease in pigs. Isolates are defined by capsule, surface sugars that protect G. parasuis from the immune system. We made a mutant of G. parasuis that is unable to produce capsule. This mutant did not cause disease in pigs and was more susceptible to being killed by the immune system. The mutant was also quickly cleared from the pigs, which may limit its ability to cause disease. The pigs given the mutant did not develop high antibody titers and were not protected against infection and disease when the pigs were subsequently exposed to the disease causing, non-mutated G. parasuis. We conclude capsule is very important for colonization of the nose and protecting G. parasuis from the immune system.