Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis surface array protein from bovine isolates in Brazil.

The electrophoretic patterns of 31 Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis capsular Surface Array Protein (SAP) isolated from bovines in reproduction from different regions of Brazil were analyzed. The persistence of the bacteria in the reproductive tract of naturally infected bovines and the dynamic of SAP expression were also evaluated. Cervical mucous and prepucial aspirates from five animals naturally infected were cultured for isolation of Campylobacter fetus and the SAPs extracted from the bacteria isolated were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. Ten different patterns of SAP expression were demonstrated by the identification of proteins with molecular mass of 97, 100, 127, and 149 kDa, respectively. The most prevalent identified protein had a molecular mass of 100 kDa (41.9%). Taking into consideration the time during which the five animals were evaluated, it was possible to conclude that one of these animals persisted with the etiological agent up to 171 days. The five naturally infected bovines analyzed presented variation on their surface protein pattern during the period of this study. C. fetus subspecies venerealis persisted in the reproductive tract of naturally infected animals. In natural condition of infection C. fetus subspecies venerealis persisted in an intermittent condition and an alteration of the protein surface was shown.