Antigenic relationship among Nocardia asteroides immunotypes.
Culture filtrate antigens from seven Nocardia asteroides immunotypes, and N caviae and N. brasiliensis, were studied by agar gel diffusion using anti-Nocardia sera and immune sera absorbed with cross-reacting antigens. It was found that all seven immunotypes demonstrated specific antigenic determinants. A few immunotypes showed cross-reactivity with other immunotypes. However, this cross-reactivity could be completely removed by absorbing the antibody with the cross-reacting antigen without major change in the reactivity with homologous antigen and antisera. This study clearly demonstrates that the various immunotypes are antigenically distinct, and that for the demonstration of antibody in patients, antigens from various immunotypes are to be used.
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D000939:Epitopes; D009615:Nocardia / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D009616:Nocardia asteroides / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D012703:Serotyping
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D000939:Epitopes