Open AccessImmunoblot cross‐reactions among Rickettsia, Proteus spp. and Legionella spp. in patients with Mediterranean spotted fever
Author(s) -
Raoult D.,
Dasch G.A.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.1995.tb00073.x
Subject(s) - rickettsia typhi , spotted fever , rickettsia conorii , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , rickettsiosis , legionella , virology , serotype , rickettsia , proteus mirabilis , antibody , epitope , antigen , typhus , legionella pneumophila , proteus , bacteria , virus , immunology , escherichia coli , staphylococcus aureus , biochemistry , genetics , gene
Sera from patients suffering from Mediterranean spotted fever (i.e. an infection due to Rickettsia conorii ) were studied by immunoblot to investigate cross‐reactivity. A prevalence of IgM antibodies to Proteus OX 19, Proteus 0X 2, to the Rickettsia typhus group, to Legionella pneumophila serovars 4 and 5, to L. bozemanii Wiga and to L. micdadei Tatlock was found. Western blot confirmed that the antibodies were directed against the lipopolysaccharide as demonstrated by proteinase K digestion of the antigens. Cross‐adsorptions showed that there is a common cross‐reacting epitope among L. bozemanii Wiga, R. typhi and Proteus OX 19 but cross‐reacting antibodies to L. micdadei and OX 2 were distinct and independent. This IgM cross‐reaction could lead to a misdiagnosis.