Intraperitoneal immunization against necrobacillosis in experimental animals.

Experiments employing recently developed mouse models indicated that intraperitoneal immunization with the cytoplasm (intracellular fraction) of Fusobacterium necrophorum protected the animals from a lethal challenge of the pathogen. The critical immunization schedule needed to achieve complete protection involved six weekly intraperitoneal doses of the intracellular antigen. Livers of immunized mice were cleared of infecting fusobacterial within 24 hours whereas those of nonimmunized mice harboured increasing numbers of hte bacteria. Sera from both groups did not protect recipient mice form developing liver abscesses after challenge. Sheep immunized intraperitoneally with 20 mg of cytoplasmic protein given in three doseases were protected against the development of abscesses induced by F. necrophorum.