Streptokokken stellen besonders ein Problem während der Aufzucht von Ferkeln dar. In Kooperation mit dem Institut für Bakteriologie und Mykologie wird die Immunantwort des Schweins in Kontakt zum Erreger und in der Entwicklung von Impfstoffen gegen Streptokokken untersucht.
Immunological investigation of Streptococcus suis infection in pigs
Investigation of the immune response to S. suis in pigs
Streptococcus suis is of great importance in piglet rearing as one of the most common bacterial pathogens in pigs and also has zoonotic potential. The natural habitat of S. suis is the upper respiratory tract, especially the tonsils and the nasal cavity, as well as the intestinal and genital tract. This clinically inapparent colonization with S. suis is common in domestic and wild boar, although only a few strains have high virulence. In piglets, however, invasive infections can occur more frequently, which can lead to serious diseases such as meningitis, septicaemia, arthritis, endocarditis, serositis or bronchopneumonia. The increased susceptibility to invasive infections in piglets is mainly related to the decrease in maternal antibody levels, i.e. during the so-called immunological gap.
Due to close project-related networking with the Institute of Bacteriology and Mycology, it is possible to perform immunological analyses of immunized pigs or pigs experimentally infected with S. suis. One focus of the work is on establishing methods for detecting antigen-specific lymphocytes in pigs. These detection methods are already established in mice and humans and are to be transferred to pigs. We have succeeded in detecting antigen-specific T helper cells in PBMCs of immunized pigs (1).
Another area of interest is the exact nature of the immune response to S. suis by cells of the innate immune system in pigs, in order to investigate how the adaptive immune response is modulated by contact with S. suis. In addition, mechanisms that are important for killing in the blood are being investigated in close collaboration with the Institute of Bacteriology and Mycology (2).
A more detailed characterization of the immune mechanisms can contribute to the development of effective vaccines and vaccination strategies against this bacterial pathogen.
Current research focuses primarily on the characterization of B cell subtypes in pigs and their response to antigens of the pathogen S. suis. In addition, the significance of the IgM-cleaving protease IdeSsuis in B cells from blood and lymph nodes is being investigated.
Further information can be found on the research page of the Institute of Bacteriology and Mycology.
Approved projects and scholarships:
- "Infect Control 2020-VacoME" (BMBF: 03ZZ0816C)
- Doctoral student promotion position for Florian Hohnstein
Publications:
(1) Ebner, F, Front Immunol. 2017 May 17;8:565.
(2) Rungelrath, V, Virulence. 2018;9(1):1314-1337
(3) Weiße C, Vet Res. 2021 Aug 25;52(1):112.
Cooperations:
- Prof. Dr. Christoph Baums (Leipzig, Germany)
- Prof. Dr. Susanne Hartmann (Berlin, Germany)
Persons involved:
PD Dr. Uwe Müller
Anne-Marie Seidel
Silke Lehnert
Alumni:
Dr. Nicole Schütze
Florian Hohnstein