Antigenic evaluation of extracted fimbrial protein obtained from pathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from diarrheic camel neonates

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) were considered prime reason of diarrhea among neonatal livestock animals in developing countries and could be of public health importance via contaminated milk and meat. Continual attempts were conducted to combat this illness using various antigenic determinants. This study was performed on four E. coli serotypes O26, O45, O103 and O111, which were previously recovered from diarrheic camel calves in Giza, Egypt. Extraction of fimbrial proteins was carried out through dialysis then evaluation of their immunogenic activity was preceded. SDS-PAGE electrophoresis was performed on crude extracted fimbrial proteins and revealed single band for each isolate ranged from 22 to 33kDa. Immunobloting was implemented on the extracted crude fimbrial proteins against E.coli O26 antisera formerly prepared in rabbit.These findings suggested that the fimbrial proteins are of immunogenicity importance and can serve as a protective passive vaccine antigen in prevention of diarrhea caused by EPEC and ETEC infection in camel calves.