03209: Discovery of Major Antigenic Determinants of Antibody Responses to Colonizing and Infecting Canine Staphylococcus pseudintermedius

One Health: Yes

Abstract

This study aims to better understand how dogs respond to a bacterium called Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (S. pseudintermedius). This bacterium can cause skin and soft tissue infections in  dogs, and it is becoming harder to treat with antibiotics because it is becoming resistant to them.  Many dogs naturally carry S.  pseudintermedius without getting sick, but it can still cause problems in certain breeds, like the Shar-Pei, that are more prone to skin issues. The goal of this study is to learn more about the immune response of dogs to S. pseudintermedius, specifically looking at the antibodies they produce. Antibodies are part of the body's defense system against harmful bacteria. By understanding how dogs' immune systems respond to this bacterium, the investigators hope to potentially develop a vaccine to protect dogs from getting sick.

The researchers hypothesize that the type of antibodies produced by dogs will be different depending on whether they are simply carrying the bacterium (colonized) or if they have an active infection. They believe that the specific characteristics of the infecting or colonizing strain of S. pseudintermedius may influence the immune response. To test this hypothesis, the researchers will collect blood samples from healthy dogs carrying S. pseudintermedius and dogs with active infections. They will analyze these samples using a special tool called a microarray, which can help identify the major parts of the bacterium that trigger an immune response. In addition, the researchers will collect swabs from the skin and nose of these dogs to isolate the S. pseudintermedius bacteria. They will examine the genetic makeup of the bacteria using a technique called genomic analysis to determine which genes are responsible for their ability to cause infection.

The expected outcome of the study is to identify the specific parts of the S. pseudintermedius bacterium that trigger an immune response in dogs. By comparing this information to the genes found in the infecting strains, researchers hope to find potential targets for a vaccine that can protect dogs from S. pseudintermedius infections.

Publication(s)

None at this time.