Pneumonia

Within the FUGATO-IRAS subproject 2 our group is focused on the analysis of glyco-protein expression in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and the alteration of protein compounds in membrane microdomains (lipid rafts) of lung tissue during an infection with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae.

As part of the FUGATO (Functional Genome Analysis in Animal Organisms) program by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the aim of the IRAS project is the development of new genetic markers for immune defence and resistance of the porcine respiratory tract. Acute respiratory diseases pose a severe economical problem. Referring to pig breeding over one thousand million of euros are invested each year for vaccines and antibiotics to control these infections. A genetic selection based on a reduced susceptibility of the respiratory tract has not been accomplished to date. IRAS uses a defined aerosol infection model for Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae as pathogen to arrange a systematic screen for phenotype and genetic markers. These can be applied in breeding programs concerning the selection to resistance.