Recombinant 35-kDa inclusion membrane protein IncA as a candidate antigen for serodiagnosis of Chlamydophila pecorum

Chlamydophila pecorum strains are commonly found in the intestine and vaginal mucus of asymptomatic ruminants and may therefore induce a positive serological response when the animals are tested for C. abortus. They have also been associated with different pathological diseases in ruminants, swine and koala. The aim of this study was to identify specific C. pecorum immunodominant antigens which could be used in ELISA tests allowing to distinguish between animals infected with C. pecorum and those infected with other chlamydial species. A gene encoding 35-kDa inclusion membrane protein incA of C. pecorum was isolated by immunoscreening of the C. pecorum DNA library using ovine anti-C. pecorum antibodies. The recombinant IncA protein did not react with a murine serum directed against C. abortus but did react with a specific monoclonal antibody of C. pecorum and toward several ovine serum samples obtained after experimental infection with different C. pecorum strains. This protein could be a good candidate for specific diagnosis of C. pecorum infection.