Context

Ehrlichia ruminantium is a strictly intracellular gram-negative bacteria that belongs to the Anaplasmataceae family. A causal agent of Cowdriosis, a fatal disease in cattle transmitted by Amblyomma ticks, this bacteria is the main obstacle to cattle breeding on the African continent, in the Indian Ocean area, and in the Caribbean. There is also a risk of the bacteria spreading to the American continent.

Benefits

The team identified a gene that attenuates the bacteria's virulence and whose mutation in the attenuated Senegal strain is non-lethal. Such a gene is believed to be a well-preserved molecular switch that generates attenuated vaccine strains. The attenuated Senegal strain has been shown to protect 100% of the animals infected with the homologous virulent strain in vaccine trials on goats with very mild clinical signs during the challenge.

Applications

Animal health