Immune protection against enterotoxinogenic E. coli: search for synergy between antibodies to enterotoxin and somatic antigens.
The protective effect against intestinal challenge with enterotoxinogenic (ent+) E. coli of enterotoxin antibodies alone and in combination with various antibacterial antibodies has been studied in rabbits. Both antibodies against E. coli heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) and cholera toxin were equally effective against different serotypes of ent+ E. coli. Antiserum to purified homologous E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as well as to cross-reactive LPS structures (Re LPS and Common antigen) contained protective antibodies which increased the protection obtained with anti-enterotoxin. Antiserum to whole bacteria acted synergistically with anti-LT against homologous and sometimes also against heterologous E. coli. This synergy remained after complete absorption of the LPS antibodies from the antibacterial serum.
D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D002772:Cholera Toxin / Q000276:immunology*; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000276:immunology*; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D007106:Immune Sera / Q000494:pharmacology; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000276:immunology; D011817:Rabbits
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D004768:Enterotoxins; D007106:Immune Sera; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D002772:Cholera Toxin