Immunization of mice with recombinant L7/L12 ribosomal protein confers protection against Brucella abortus infection.

BALB/c mice were immunized with the recombinant Brucella abortus L7/L12 ribosomal protein fused to maltose binding protein (MBP). Vaccinated animals mounted a specific immune response to the recombinant fusion protein as demonstrated by immunoblot analyses. Additionally, B. abortus L7/L12 ribosomal protein conferred a significant degree of protection when compared to mice vaccinated with adjuvant alone, adjuvant plus MBP or B. abortus. These results indicate that a recombinant B. abortus protein, previously identified as T-cell-reactive, engendered protective immunity to mice against brucellosis.