Abstract
The identification of potential vaccine candidates against leptospirosis remains a challenge. However, one such candidate is OmpL37, a potentially surface-exposed antigen that has the highest elastin-binding ability described to date, suggesting that it plays an important role in host colonization. In order to evaluate OmpL37’s ability to induce a protective immune response, prime-boost, DNA and subunit vaccine strategies were tested in the hamster model of lethal leptospirosis. The humoral immune response was evaluated using an indirect ELISA test, and the cytokine profile in whole blood was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Unlike the DNA vaccine, the administration of recombinant OmpL37 induced a strong IgG antibody response. When individually administrated, both formulations stimulated a TNF-α mediated inflammatory response. However, none of the OmpL37 formulations or vaccination strategies induced protective immunity. Further studies are required towards the identification of new vaccine targets against leptospirosis.
Highlights
Leptospirosis is a tropical, neglected, zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the Leptospira genus
L. interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae serovar Copenhageni strain Fiocruz L1-130 was cultured in Ellinghausen-McCullough-Johnson-Harris (EMJH) liquid medium (Difco; BD, Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA), and was supplemented with Leptospira enrichment EMJH (Difco) at 30°C [28]
Distribution of ompL37 among Leptospira spp PCR analysis showed that the ompL37 gene is present in L. interrogans, L. borgpetersenii, L. kirschneri, and L. santarosai
Summary
Leptospirosis is a tropical, neglected, zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the Leptospira genus. It is typically associated with inadequate sanitation, poverty, and recreational or professional activities that involve exposure to known risk factors [1,2]. The global burden of leptospirosis is estimated to be 890,000 annual cases [4], with approximately 4,000 confirmed cases in Brazil [5]. Leptospirosis ranges from a mild influenza-like illness to a severe disease that can cause multiple organ failure. The mortality rate varies from 10% (Weil’s disease) to 70% (leptospirosis-associated pulmonary haemorrhage syndrome) [6]. There are approximately 49,000 deaths per year worldwide from Leptospirosis [4]
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