Comparison of the cytoplasmic antigens of leprosy-derived corynebacteria and some mycobacteria.
The immunological relationship between leprosy-derived corynebacteria (LDC) and reference mycobacteria was analysed by crossed immunoelectrophoresis with intermediate gel. For this purpose, three reference systems (LDC15/anti-LDC15, LDC18/anti-LDC8, and LDC8/anti-LDC8) were developed. They showed 15 to 20 distinct antigenic components in LDC cytoplasm. Extensive cross-reactivity was observed among different LDC isolates, affecting 3 to 17 components. Moreover, several components were shown to cross-react with mycobacteria when anti-bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), anti-Mycobacterium leprae, other antisera and lepromatous leprosy sera were incorporated in the intermediate gel. The major cross-reactive component, antigen M, was present in all LDC isolates and cross-reacted with antigen 7 of M. leprae and antigen 60 of M. bovis BCG. The thermostability of these antigens and the specificity of the cross-reacting antigens were assessed. The data underline the degree of immunochemical homogeneity within the LDC group of micro-organisms and relatedness with M. leprae and other mycobacteria.
D003352:Corynebacterium / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003378:Counterimmunoelectrophoresis; D003429:Cross Reactions; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000382:microbiology; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis / Q000276:immunology; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000276:immunology
D000939:Epitopes