QcrC is a potential target for antibody therapy and vaccination to control infection by suppressing its energy metabolism.

INTRODUCTION

spp. are a public health concern, yet there is still no effective vaccine or medicine available.

METHODS

Here, we developed a -specific antibody and found that it targeted a menaquinol cytochrome reductase complex QcrC.

RESULTS

The antibody was specifically reactive to multiple strains including clinical isolates from patients with acute enteritis and was found to inhibit the energy metabolism and growth of . Different culture conditions produced different expression levels of QcrC in , and these levels were closely related not only to the energy metabolism of but also its pathogenicity. Furthermore, immunization of mice with recombinant QcrC induced protective immunity against infection.

DISCUSSION

Taken together, our present findings highlight a possible antibody- or vaccination-based strategy to prevent or control infection by targeting the QcrC-mediated metabolic pathway.