Cross-reactive Legionella antigens and the antibody response during infection

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

In order to define cross-reactive Legionella antigens suitable for diagnostic purposes, we investigated sonicate antigens from two Legionella species, including two serogroups of L. pneumophila. The antigens were reacted with heterologous and homologous rabbit antisera in Western blot. Sera from seven patients with culture-verified L. pneumophila infection and nine patients with serologically confirmed L. micdadei infection were also investigated for reactivity with the corresponding antigens. Among the cross-reactive Legionella antigens defined, non-specific reactivity in patients' sera with the 58-kDa common antigen (CA) was noted. Specific reactions were observed with the Legionella flagellum antigen and with the macrophage infectivity potentiator (Mip) protein; with both antigens, however, the reactive sera were too few to suggest the use of a single antigen in a diagnostic test.
Original languageEnglish
JournalA P M I S. Acta Pathologica, Microbiologica et Immunologica Scandinavica
Volume99
Issue number9
Pages (from-to)854-65
Number of pages12
ISSN0903-4641
Publication statusPublished - 1991

    Research areas

  • Animals, Antibody Formation, Antigens, Bacterial, Blotting, Western, Cross Reactions, Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel, Humans, Legionella, Legionnaires' Disease, Molecular Weight, Rabbits, Serotyping

ID: 40334266