For the immunization experiments, g

For the immunization experiments, groups of BALB/c mice (n = 5) were immunized intramuscularly with 2 μg of recombinant Blp1 protein fragment. Immunization mixture was prepared by mixing the antigen with an equal volume of complete Freund’s adjuvant on the day 0 and with incomplete Freund’s adjuvant on the days 14 and 28. Control group was inoculated with PBS combined with Freund’s adjuvant. On the day 32, blood samples were collected and tested against immunogen usingELISA as described above. Mice were challenged intraperitoneally on the day 42 with 1 × 108 CFU of AbIC I bacteria