Hofmann-Lehmann
Fakultäten » Vetsuisse-Fakultät » Nutztiere, Departement für » Veterinärmedizinisches Labor » Prof. Dr. Regina Hofmann-Lehmann » Hofmann-Lehmann
Completed research project
| Title / Titel | Phage Display: an appropriate technology for epitope mapping of hemotropic Mycoplasma? | ||||||||
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| Abstract (PDF, 14 KB) | |||||||||
| Summary / Zusammenfassung | Hemotropic mycoplasmas, aka hemoplasmas, are the causative agents of infectious anemia in several mammalian species. Infection results in severe hemolysis, characterized by lethargy, icterus and sudden death. In the cat, three hemoplasma species are known, which can be differentiated using molecular assays. Immunological tests for rapid diagnosis are unavailable because the necessary antigens cannot be produced by in vitro cultivation of the agents. The goal of the present project is to determine whether phage display is an effective technology for the identification of immunogenic peptide epitopes of hemotropic mycoplasmas. If hemoplasma epitopes can be identified using this method, animal experiments (propagation of hemoplasma in splenectomized hosts) can be avoided, thereby fulfilling the strategy of 3R (Reduction, Refinement, Replacement). Identification of hemoplasma epitopes by phage display will allow the development of specific serologic assays for these agents. The test will be used to investigate the seroprevalence of hemoplasma in the Swiss cat population. In addition, the immune response induced after infection could be studied; this would provide deeper insight into the pathogenesis and the host-pathogen interaction of these infections. The identified antigens could further be used to develop a rapid diagnostic test; this would be of great importance for veterinary practitioners and pet cat owners as unrecognized hemoplasma infections can have a fatal outcome. |
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| Publications / Publikationen | Willi, B., F. S. Boretti, C. Baumgartner, S. Tasker, B. Wenger, V. Cattori, M. L. Meli, C. E. Reusch, H. Lutz, and R. Hofmann-Lehmann. 2006. Prevalence, risk factor analysis and follow-up of infections with the three feline hemoplasma species in cats in Switzerland. J Clin Microbiol 44: 961-969.Willi, B., F. S. Boretti, V. Cattori, M.L. Meli, M. D. Doherr, C. E. Reusch, R. Hofmann-Lehmann. 2006. Feline Haemoplasmen in der Schweiz: Identifikation einer neuen, dritten Spezies, Diagnose, Prävalenz und klinische Bedeutung. SAT 148: 139-150.Willi, B., F. S. Boretti, V. Cattori, S. Tasker, M. L. Meli, C. Reusch, H. Lutz, and R. Hofmann-Lehmann. 2005. Identification, molecular characterization and experimental transmission of a new hemoplasma isolate from a cat with hemolytic anemia in Switzerland. J Clin Microbiol 43: 2581-2585. | ||||||||
| Keywords / Suchbegriffe | Hemoplasma, hemotropic Mycoplasma, Hemobartonella, Eperythrozoon, infectious anemia, phage display, epitope mapping, immunodominant epitopes, immunodiagnosis, serology, pathogenesis, humoral immune response, vector-borne pathogens | ||||||||
| Project leadership and contacts / Projektleitung und Kontakte |
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| Funding source(s) / Unterstützt durch |
No project-specific funding |
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| In collaboration with / In Zusammenarbeit mit |
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| Duration of Project / Projektdauer | Dec 2005 to May 2007 |