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Journal of veterinary science2013; 15(2); 249-258; doi: 10.4142/jvs.2014.15.2.249

Equine hyperimmune serum protects mice against Clostridium difficile spore challenge.

Abstract: Clostridium (C.) difficile is a common cause of nosocomial diarrhea in horses. Vancomycin and metronidazole have been used as standard treatments but are only moderately effective, which highlights the need for a novel alternative therapy. In the current study, we prepared antiserum of equine origin against both C. difficile toxins A and B as well as whole-cell bacteria. The toxin-neutralizing activities of the antibodies were evaluated in vitro and the prophylactic effects of in vivo passive immunotherapy were demonstrated using a conventional mouse model. The data demonstrated that immunized horses generated antibodies against both toxins A and B that possessed toxin-neutralizing activity. Additionally, mice treated with the antiserum lost less weight without any sign of illness and regained weight back to a normal range more rapidly compared to the control group when challenged orally with 10(7) C. difficile spores 1 day after serum injection. These results indicate that intravenous delivery of hyperimmune serum can protect animals from C. difficile challenge in a dose-dependent manner. Hence, immunotherapy may be a promising prophylactic strategy for preventing C. difficile infection in horses.
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Publication Date: 2013-10-18 PubMed ID: 24136208PubMed Central: PMC4087227DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2014.15.2.249Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research paper discusses a study where a serum, derived from the immune system of horses, was used to protect mice from a bacterium called Clostridium difficile, which often causes diarrhea in horses. The study found that the serum was successful at counteracting the bacteria and helping the mice recover more quickly.

Background of the Study

  • Clostridium difficile is a bacterium that often causes diarrhea and can lead to more serious intestinal conditions such as colitis.
  • It is a common issue in hospitals and is particularly prevalent in horses.
  • The standard treatments for this bacteria are the drugs Vancomycin and Metronidazole. However, these methods only have moderate success rates, presenting the need for an alternative treatment option.

Methodology

  • The researchers prepared a serum from horses that were immunized against toxins produced by the Clostridium difficile bacterium.
  • This serum, known as antiserum, was evaluated for its ability to neutralize these toxins in vitro (in the lab).
  • The serum was then used in a procedure known as passive immunotherapy on mice. This is a process where immune system elements are transferred from a donor to a recipient.

Findings

  • The horses that were immunized produced antibodies capable of neutralizing the toxins.
  • The mice that were given the antiserum showed significant improvements over the control group. They lost less weight and were able to regain their normal weight more quickly after being orally given Clostridium difficile.
  • The improvements in the mice were found to be dose-dependent, meaning higher amounts of the serum led to better results.

Conclusions

  • The results suggest that using equine hyperimmune serum can be an effective way to protect animals from Clostridium difficile infection.
  • The researchers believe that the serum could be used as a preventive measure against the bacteria, particularly in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Yan W, Shin KS, Wang SJ, Xiang H, Divers T, McDonough S, Bowman J, Rowlands A, Akey B, Mohamed H, Chang YF. (2013). Equine hyperimmune serum protects mice against Clostridium difficile spore challenge. J Vet Sci, 15(2), 249-258. https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2014.15.2.249

Publication

Journal of veterinary science
ISSN: 1976-555X
NlmUniqueID: 100964185
Country: Korea (South)
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 2
Pages: 249-258

Researcher Affiliations

Yan, Weiwei
  • Animal Health Diagnostic Center, Departments of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Shin, Kang-Soon
    Wang, Shih-Jon
      Xiang, Hua
        Divers, Thomas
          McDonough, Sean
            Bowman, James
              Rowlands, Anne
                Akey, Bruce
                  Mohamed, Hussni
                    Chang, Yung-Fu

                      MeSH Terms

                      • Animals
                      • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
                      • Antibodies, Bacterial / immunology
                      • Antibodies, Bacterial / therapeutic use
                      • Bacterial Proteins / immunology
                      • Bacterial Proteins / therapeutic use
                      • Bacterial Toxins / immunology
                      • Bacterial Toxins / therapeutic use
                      • Clostridioides difficile / immunology
                      • Clostridium Infections / microbiology
                      • Clostridium Infections / prevention & control
                      • Clostridium Infections / veterinary
                      • Enterotoxins / immunology
                      • Enterotoxins / therapeutic use
                      • Female
                      • Horse Diseases / microbiology
                      • Horse Diseases / prevention & control
                      • Horses
                      • Immune Sera / immunology
                      • Immunization, Passive / veterinary
                      • Mice
                      • Mice, Inbred C57BL
                      • Spores, Bacterial / immunology

                      Conflict of Interest Statement

                      There is no conflict of interest.

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                      Citations

                      This article has been cited 3 times.
                      1. Bratkovič T, Zahirović A, Bizjak M, Rupnik M, Štrukelj B, Berlec A. New treatment approaches for Clostridioides difficile infections: alternatives to antibiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation. Gut Microbes 2024 Jan-Dec;16(1):2337312.
                        doi: 10.1080/19490976.2024.2337312pubmed: 38591915google scholar: lookup
                      2. Uzal FA, Arroyo LG, Navarro MA, Gomez DE, Asín J, Henderson E. Bacterial and viral enterocolitis in horses: a review. J Vet Diagn Invest 2022 May;34(3):354-375.
                        doi: 10.1177/10406387211057469pubmed: 34763560google scholar: lookup
                      3. Deng H, Yang S, Zhang Y, Qian K, Zhang Z, Liu Y, Wang Y, Bai Y, Fan H, Zhao X, Zhi F. Bacteroides fragilis Prevents Clostridium difficile Infection in a Mouse Model by Restoring Gut Barrier and Microbiome Regulation. Front Microbiol 2018;9:2976.
                        doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02976pubmed: 30619112google scholar: lookup
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