Immunity Targeting Common Core Antigens of Gram-Negative Bacteria

Antibodies against common gram‐negative core antigens can provide protection against environmental, commensual, and contagious bacteria that cause life‐threatening gram‐negative sepsis/endotoxemia. Cross‐protective immunity may be effective against many common livestock diseases, including neonatal coliform septicemia, coliform mastitis, septic metritis, and severe enteritis. The greatest potential benefit of cross‐protective immunity may be realized in the reduction of ill‐thrift and mortality of neonates. The use of active and passive immunization against core antigens common to gram‐negative bacteria has been successful in human beings, laboratory animals, and livestock. Protection has been observed following challenge with either heterologous endotoxin or unrelated, live, virulent gram‐negative bacteria. (Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 1990; 4:17–25)