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PeerJ2017; 5; e3907; doi: 10.7717/peerj.3907

Passive protection against anthrax in mice with plasma derived from horses hyper-immunized against Bacillus anthracis Sterne strain.

Abstract: In this study, equine source polyclonal anti-Bacillus anthracis immunoglobulins were generated and utilized to demonstrate passive protection of mice in a lethal challenge assay. Four horses were hyper-immunized with B. anthracis Sterne strain for approximately one year. The geometric mean anti-PA titer in the horses at maximal response following immunization was 1:77,936 (Log2 mean titer 16.25, SEM ± 0.25 95% CI [15.5 -17.0]). The geometric mean neutralizing titer at maximal response was 1:128 (Log2 mean titer 7, SEM ± 0.0, 95% CI 7). Treatment with hyper-immune plasma or purified immunoglobulins was successful in passively protecting A/J mice from a lethal B. anthracis Sterne strain challenge. The treatment of mice with hyper-immune plasma at time 0 h and 24 h post-infection had no effect on survival, but did significantly increase mean time to death (p < 0.0001). Mice treated with purified immunoglobulins at time 0 h and 24 h post-infection in showed significant increase in survival rate (p < 0.001). Bacterial loads in lung, liver and spleen tissue were also assessed and were not significantly different in mice treated with hyper-immune plasma from placebo treated control mice. Mice treated with purified antibodies demonstrated mean colony forming units/gram tissue fourfold less than mice receiving placebo treatment (p < 0.0001). Immunotherapeutics harvested from horses immunized against B. anthracis Sterne strain represent a rapidly induced, inexpensive and effective expansion to the arsenal of treatments against anthrax.
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Publication Date: 2017-12-15 PubMed ID: 29259839PubMed Central: PMC5733894DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3907Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 studied the efficacy of using antibodies generated in horses to protect mice against infection from the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which causes anthrax. The results indicate that this method can significantly increase the survival rate and delay time to death, suggesting that antibodies from immunized horses could form a cost-effective addition to the available treatments for anthrax.

Study Design and Methodology

Scientists used four horses to create a source of anti-Bacillus anthracis antibodies. The horses were hyper-immunized, meaning they were vaccinated intensively to produce a concentrated immune response, with Bacillus anthracis Sterne strain, a version of the bacterium specifically designed for vaccination, for approximately a year. The presence of antibodies was measured using a geometric mean titer, a statistical method used to capture a central antibody level from varying results.

Results and Findings

  • The horses’ response to the immunization was strong, producing a high geometric mean anti-PA titer, indicative of a robust antibody response to the protective antigen (PA) of the bacterium.
  • The study also found a significant neutralizing titer, meaning the antibodies produced in the horses effectively neutralized the bacterium.
  • When mice infected with the lethal Sterne strain were treated with the horse-derived hyper-immune plasma or purified antibodies, there was a marked protective effect. This protection was measured as increased survival rates and delayed time to death.
  • Treating mice with purified antibodies within 24 hours of infection resulted in significantly improved survival rates, suggesting an effective window for post-exposure treatment.
  • While there was no significant reduction in bacterial load in mice treated with hyper-immune plasma compared to untreated mice, mice treated with purified antibodies showed a fourfold decrease in bacteria levels.

Conclusions and Implications

The generated equine source polyclonal antibodies effectively protected mice from anthrax infection. This suggests that similar strategies could be employed in treating humans with anthrax, adding a potentially inexpensive and efficient tool to the currently available treatments. Further study is required to validate this approach in humans and to explore potential side effects and the optimal timing and dosing of antibody treatment.

Cite This Article

APA
Caldwell M, Hathcock T, Brock KV. (2017). Passive protection against anthrax in mice with plasma derived from horses hyper-immunized against Bacillus anthracis Sterne strain. PeerJ, 5, e3907. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3907

Publication

PeerJ
ISSN: 2167-8359
NlmUniqueID: 101603425
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 5
Pages: e3907

Researcher Affiliations

Caldwell, Marc
  • Department of Pathobiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States of America.
Hathcock, Terri
  • Department of Pathobiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States of America.
Brock, Kenny V
  • Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States of America.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare there are no competing interests.

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