Complement activation and sensitizing antibodies in Lyme borreliosis. A microbial adherence immobilization assay for Borrelia burgdorferi (MAIA-BB).
A report is presented about the capability of complement to directly clump Borrelia burgdorferi. The new phenomenon which has been termed "microbial adherence", is either antibody-independent or requires the presence of "sensitizing" antibodies depending the strains tested. Microbial adherence is associated with immobilization and killing of borrelias. A microbial adherence immobilization assay for B. burgdorferi (MAIA-BB) was developed to detect sensitizing antibodies in patients with Lyme borreliosis and in B. burgdorferi-infected animals.
Department of Bacteriology and Medical Mycology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
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D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000276:immunology*; D015748:Borrelia burgdorferi Group / Q000276:immunology*; D003167:Complement Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial