Open AccessImmunodominant antigens recognized by the human immune response to infection by organisms of the species Leptospira interrogans serogroup Australis
Author(s) -
Cinco Marina,
Delneri Daniela,
Banfi Elena
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1992.tb05008.x
Subject(s) - antigen , epitope , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , immune system , serotype , western blot , antibody , leptospira interrogans , immunogenicity , lipopolysaccharide , leptospira , immunodominance , virology , immunology , gene , biochemistry
Serum samples from patients infected by organisms of Leptospira interrogans serogroup Australis were tested by Western blot to determine the nature of major antigens that are involved in the immune response. Although there was some patient‐to‐patient variability, immunodominant genus‐specific antigens were found to be proteins of apparent molecular ratio 68, 46 and 35‐kDa, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) sub‐units in the 35‐14‐kDa region. Serogroup epitopes specific for Australis were exclusively saccharides of about 32 and 24 kDa: a serovar‐specific antigen for serovar lora was of 38–40 kDa and behaved like a protein. Antibodies to the LPS serogroup‐specific antigens and to the 38–40 kDa protein were long‐lasting and consequently suggest that these immunodominant epitopes are important in resistance to re‐infection.