Secreted antigens of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis as prominent immune targets

摘要

We here describe the identification and characterization of three novel secreted M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) antigens of 9 kDa, 15 kDa and 34 kDa (MAP2609, MAP2942c and MAP2942c resp.) by screening a genomic expression library with serum from a naturally infected clinical cow. The 9, 15 and 34 kDa antigens display strong homology to previously described M. tuberculosis antigens, TB 8.4, MPT53 and Erp, respectively. Furthermore these antigens were shown to be recognized by antibodies in subclinical infected cattle.