Open AccessAnalysis of Moraxella catarrhalis outer membrane antigens cross‐reactive with Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria lactamica
Author(s) -
Troncoso Gemma,
Sánchez Sandra,
Criado María Teresa,
Ferreirós Carlos
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1016/s0928-8244(03)00298-0
Subject(s) - moraxella catarrhalis , moraxella (branhamella) catarrhalis , neisseriaceae , neisseria meningitidis , neisseria , microbiology and biotechnology , bacterial outer membrane , biology , moraxella , haemophilus influenzae , bacteria , genetics , antibiotics , escherichia coli , gene
Mouse sera against outer membrane proteins from Moraxella catarrhalis , Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria lactamica , and human sera from both healthy individuals and patients convalescing from meningococcal meningitis were used to identify cross‐reactive antigens. Mouse anti‐ N. meningitidis and anti‐ N. lactamica sera recognized 77, 62 and 32 kDa outer membrane antigens in M. catarrhalis strains; on the contrary, the meningococcal porin PorB (38–42 kDa) was recognized by one of the two anti‐ M. catarrhalis sera. Human sera from both healthy individuals and patients convalescing from meningococcal meningitis also showed cross‐reactive antibodies against these proteins. The existence of cross‐reactive antigens in M. catarrhalis and N. meningitidis (as well as in N. lactamica ) could favor the development of natural immunization against both pathogens.