Population-based analysis of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae ApxIVA for use as a DIVA antigen

APXIVA is an RTX toxin of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae that is a candidate antigen to differentiate infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA). Insertion of ISApl1 into the apxIVA gene is known to compromise an APXIVA-based DIVA approach, as is potentially a TGG to TGA mutation in the apxIVA gene. ISApl1 was found in 63/349 (18.1%) A. pleuropneumoniae isolates from England and Wales including serovars 2, 3, 6–8 and 12. No ISApl1 insertions into apxIVA were found. Only two serovar 3 isolates contained the TGG to TGA mutation. We conclude that an ApxIVA-based DIVA approach would potentially be viable in England and Wales.