Comparative Analysis of Cross-Protective Immunity Among Three Geographically Distinct Isolates of <i>Eimeria kongi</i>

Coccidiosis is one of the most significant diseases affecting the rabbit industry and is caused by <i>Eimeria</i>. In a previous study, we identified a new species of <i>Eimeria kongi</i> (<i>E. kongi</i>-ZJK) from the northern region of China (Zhangjiakou, Hebei...

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Main Authors: Sufang Fang, Linghai Meng, Yubo Shi, Chengyu Hao, Xiaolong Gu, Fangchen Du, Ping Cui, Xinming Tang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/23/3524
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author Sufang Fang
Linghai Meng
Yubo Shi
Chengyu Hao
Xiaolong Gu
Fangchen Du
Ping Cui
Xinming Tang
author_facet Sufang Fang
Linghai Meng
Yubo Shi
Chengyu Hao
Xiaolong Gu
Fangchen Du
Ping Cui
Xinming Tang
author_sort Sufang Fang
collection DOAJ
description Coccidiosis is one of the most significant diseases affecting the rabbit industry and is caused by <i>Eimeria</i>. In a previous study, we identified a new species of <i>Eimeria kongi</i> (<i>E. kongi</i>-ZJK) from the northern region of China (Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province) and studied its pathogenicity and immunogenicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pathogenicity, immunogenicity, and cross-immunogenicity from different geographical isolates of <i>E. kongi</i> for vaccine development. Two geographical isolates of <i>E. kongi</i>-QD from Qingdao, Shandong Province (eastern China), and <i>E. kongi-</i>CD from Chengdu, Sichuan Province (southwestern China), were isolated and identified. The pathogenicity, immunogenicity, and cross-immunogenicity among the three geographical isolates were evaluated. The pathogenicity results showed that after infecting rabbits with doses of 1 × 10<sup>3</sup> or fewer sporulated oocysts of <i>E. kongi</i>-QD and <i>E. kongi</i>-CD, the rabbits exhibited clinical symptoms but recovered quickly, indicating lower pathogenicity. Immunogenicity studies revealed that after immunizing rabbits with 1 × 10<sup>3</sup> sporulated oocysts of <i>E. kongi</i>-QD and <i>E. kongi</i>-CD for 14 days, followed by challenge with 1 × 10<sup>4</sup> homologous sporulated oocysts, the oocyst reduction rates in the immunized groups were 99.39% and 99.12%, respectively, compared with the non-immunized groups, demonstrating good immunogenicity. In cross-immunogenicity studies, rabbits were immunized with 1 × 10<sup>3</sup> sporulated oocysts of <i>E. kongi</i>-ZJK, <i>E. kongi</i>-QD, or <i>E. kongi</i>-CD and then challenged with 1 × 10<sup>4</sup> sporulated oocysts of heterologous isolate. The immunized groups showed no significant clinical symptoms, and the oocyst reduction rates ranged from 55.9% to 98.4%. <i>E. kongi</i>-CD exhibited cross-protection against <i>E. kongi</i>-ZJK and <i>E. kongi</i>-QD, making it an ideal candidate formulation for vaccine development.
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spelling doaj-art-46e49f6147374bee8eb68b1fcea47d5e2025-08-20T02:50:17ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152024-12-011423352410.3390/ani14233524Comparative Analysis of Cross-Protective Immunity Among Three Geographically Distinct Isolates of <i>Eimeria kongi</i>Sufang Fang0Linghai Meng1Yubo Shi2Chengyu Hao3Xiaolong Gu4Fangchen Du5Ping Cui6Xinming Tang7College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou 075000, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou 075000, ChinaKey Laboratory of Animal Biosafety Risk Prevention and Control (North), Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Products and Chemical Drugs of MARA, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou 075000, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou 075000, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou 075000, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou 075000, ChinaKey Laboratory of Animal Biosafety Risk Prevention and Control (North), Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Products and Chemical Drugs of MARA, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, ChinaCoccidiosis is one of the most significant diseases affecting the rabbit industry and is caused by <i>Eimeria</i>. In a previous study, we identified a new species of <i>Eimeria kongi</i> (<i>E. kongi</i>-ZJK) from the northern region of China (Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province) and studied its pathogenicity and immunogenicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pathogenicity, immunogenicity, and cross-immunogenicity from different geographical isolates of <i>E. kongi</i> for vaccine development. Two geographical isolates of <i>E. kongi</i>-QD from Qingdao, Shandong Province (eastern China), and <i>E. kongi-</i>CD from Chengdu, Sichuan Province (southwestern China), were isolated and identified. The pathogenicity, immunogenicity, and cross-immunogenicity among the three geographical isolates were evaluated. The pathogenicity results showed that after infecting rabbits with doses of 1 × 10<sup>3</sup> or fewer sporulated oocysts of <i>E. kongi</i>-QD and <i>E. kongi</i>-CD, the rabbits exhibited clinical symptoms but recovered quickly, indicating lower pathogenicity. Immunogenicity studies revealed that after immunizing rabbits with 1 × 10<sup>3</sup> sporulated oocysts of <i>E. kongi</i>-QD and <i>E. kongi</i>-CD for 14 days, followed by challenge with 1 × 10<sup>4</sup> homologous sporulated oocysts, the oocyst reduction rates in the immunized groups were 99.39% and 99.12%, respectively, compared with the non-immunized groups, demonstrating good immunogenicity. In cross-immunogenicity studies, rabbits were immunized with 1 × 10<sup>3</sup> sporulated oocysts of <i>E. kongi</i>-ZJK, <i>E. kongi</i>-QD, or <i>E. kongi</i>-CD and then challenged with 1 × 10<sup>4</sup> sporulated oocysts of heterologous isolate. The immunized groups showed no significant clinical symptoms, and the oocyst reduction rates ranged from 55.9% to 98.4%. <i>E. kongi</i>-CD exhibited cross-protection against <i>E. kongi</i>-ZJK and <i>E. kongi</i>-QD, making it an ideal candidate formulation for vaccine development.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/23/3524rabbit coccidiosis<i>Eimeria kongi</i>pathogenicityimmunitycross-protectionvaccine development
spellingShingle Sufang Fang
Linghai Meng
Yubo Shi
Chengyu Hao
Xiaolong Gu
Fangchen Du
Ping Cui
Xinming Tang
Comparative Analysis of Cross-Protective Immunity Among Three Geographically Distinct Isolates of <i>Eimeria kongi</i>
Animals
rabbit coccidiosis
<i>Eimeria kongi</i>
pathogenicity
immunity
cross-protection
vaccine development
title Comparative Analysis of Cross-Protective Immunity Among Three Geographically Distinct Isolates of <i>Eimeria kongi</i>
title_full Comparative Analysis of Cross-Protective Immunity Among Three Geographically Distinct Isolates of <i>Eimeria kongi</i>
title_fullStr Comparative Analysis of Cross-Protective Immunity Among Three Geographically Distinct Isolates of <i>Eimeria kongi</i>
title_full_unstemmed Comparative Analysis of Cross-Protective Immunity Among Three Geographically Distinct Isolates of <i>Eimeria kongi</i>
title_short Comparative Analysis of Cross-Protective Immunity Among Three Geographically Distinct Isolates of <i>Eimeria kongi</i>
title_sort comparative analysis of cross protective immunity among three geographically distinct isolates of i eimeria kongi i
topic rabbit coccidiosis
<i>Eimeria kongi</i>
pathogenicity
immunity
cross-protection
vaccine development
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/23/3524
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