Western blot analysis of the antibody response in patients with Listeria monocytogenes meningitis and septicemia.
The antibody response in patients with Listeria monocytogenes septicemia and/or meningitis was investigated using Western blot analysis (WBA). Protein antigen preparations were produced from two strains of Listeria monocytogenes, representing serogroup 1 and 4, by sonication and differential centrifugation. IgG antibodies from 8 (50%) of 16 patients with culture verified septicemia and/or meningitis due to Listeria monocytogenes reacted with a 93 kDa antigen from serogroup 1, in contrast to IgG antibodies from only 1 (2%) of 51 controls; these controls represented 21 patients with infections caused by other bacteria and 30 apparently healthy blood donors. Furthermore, IgM antibodies from 3 (19%) of the patients with listeric infections bound to a 106 kDa protein antigen in contrast to none of the controls. In 3 (33%) of 9 patients from whom acute and convalescence serum were available, the patients responded by producing antibodies against new protein antigens. Current methods used in routine serological investigations, i.e. complement fixation and O-agglutination tests, were positive in only 4 (24%) of the 16 patients with listeriosis. The results point to the possibility of designing new immunoassays for detection of septicemia and meningitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes.
Renneberg
J
J
Department of Clinical Microbiology, Herlev Amtssygehus, Denmark.
Persson
K
K
Christensen
P
P
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D015153:Blotting, Western / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000276:immunology; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D008584:Meningitis, Listeria / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D012703:Serotyping
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M