| dc.description | Bartonella henselae is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes cat scratch disease (CSD), as well as bacteremia,
endocarditis, and other clinical presentations. CSD remains one of the most common infections caused by bacteria
in the genus Bartonella, and it is transmitted to humans through a scratch or cat bite. Vaccination and more efficient
diagnostic methods would represent a promising and sustainable alternative measure for CSD control in humans and
animals. Here, we described the in silico analyses and design of three recombinant chimeric proteins (rC1, rC2, and rC3),
for use in the control of CSD. The chimeras were constructed with epitopes identified from the sequences of the GroEL,
17 kDa, P26, BadA, Pap31, OMP 89, and OMP 43, previously described as the most important B. henselae antigens. The
rC1, rC2, and rC3 were expressed and purified using a heterologous system based on Escherichia coli and reacted with
antibodies present in the sera of humans naturally infected. The chimeric proteins were used to immunize mice using
Freund adjuvant, and the humoral immune response was evaluated. Animals immunized with rC1 and rC3 showed a
significant IgG antibodies response from the 28th day (P < 0.05), and the animals immunized with the rC2 from the 35th
day (P < 0.05) remained until the 56th day of experimentation, with a titer of 1:3200 (P < 0.05), 1:1600 (P < 0.05) and
1:1600 (P < 0.05) from rC1, rC2, and rC3, respectively. Significant production of IgA and IgG1 isotype was detected in
animals immunized with rC1 and rC2 proteins. Additionally, analysis using 13 serum samples from naturally infected
patients showed that the proteins are recognized by antibodies present in sera, reinforcing the possibility of using these
chimeras for CSD control. | |
