Open AccessIdentification of Legionella Pneumophila Antigens and Antibodies by Immunoferritin Electronmicroscopy
Author(s) -
Frank G. Rodgers
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
journal of medical microbiology/journal of medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.91
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1473-5644
pISSN - 0022-2615
DOI - 10.1099/00222615-15-2-181
Subject(s) - legionella , legionella pneumophila , microbiology and biotechnology , antigen , antibody , biology , antiserum , legionnaires' disease , stain , specific antibody , bacteria , staining , virology , immunology , genetics
Material from 18 lungs positive for Legionella pneumophila and 21 strains of legionella grown on bacteriological media or in the yolk sac of fertile hen's eggs were examined by direct negative stain and immunoferritin electronmicroscopy. The 18 lung samples and all preparations of cultivated organisms showed the presence of bacteria with the typical morphology of L. pneumophila. By immunoferritin electronmicroscopy, with specific antisera, it was possible to serogroup the organisms. The immunoferritin method in reverse made it possible to detect and titrate antibody in sera from patients. Direct and immunoferritin electronmicroscopy were as sensitive as immunofluorescent antibody tests for detecting the antigens and antibodies of Legionnaires' disease. Additional advantages of the ultrastructural technique are discussed.