CLONAGGIO E CARATTERIZZAZIONE DI 4 ANTIGENI RICOMBINANTI PER LA SIERODIAGNOSI DI FEBBRE Q NEL BOVINO

Coxiella burnetii (CB) is the causative agent of Q fever (QF), a widespread zoonotic disease with considerable economic impact in livestock industry and public health. Domestic ruminants are the main reservoirs and the source of QF in human. Currently, serological diagnosis in ruminants is based on a combination of phase I and II antigens, leading to discordant results and misinterpretation, being not able to distinguish between acute or chronic infection and vaccination. Recombinant technology represents a valid option since immunodominant and stage-related proteins can be produced in large amount without the need of BSL3 laboratory. In this study 4 protein of CB were expressed in E.coli, purified and characterized in WB and ELISA. Data obtained suggests that a 35-KDa periplasmatic protein is a promising marker of infection with potential application as DIVA test in cattle.