EDTA-released outer-membrane antigen complexes were prepared from 172 laboratory and reference strains and 43 fresh clinical or faecal isolates representing 20 species or subspecies of Bacteroides, together with 13 species of other genera. These antigens were titrated against antisera to whole, live cells of 21 species or subspecies of Bacteroidaceae in an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The presence of species-specific antigens was investigated and cross reactions between species were noted. Results showed that a high proportion of the species possess species-specific antigens with little significant cross reactivity.
We believe that the ELISA system described here detects antigens that represent the whole cell surface of bacteroides organisms. We have exploited the sensitivity of the system and its quantitative potential to define approaches for those wishing to use serological approaches for either the identification of Bacteroides species or for the titration of serum antibodies in patients with a possible bacteroides infection.
BeerensH., WattreP., ShinjoT., RomondC.1971; Premiers résultats d’un essai de classification sérologique de 131 souches de Bacteroides du groupe fragilis (Eggerthella). Annls Inst. Pasteur, Paris 121:187
DeaconA. G., DuerdenB. I., HolbrookW. P.1978; Gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of metabolic products in the identification of Bacteroidaceae of clinical interest. J. med. Microbiol. 11:81
DuerdenB. I., ColleeJ. G., BrownR., DeaconA. G., HolbrookW. P.1980; A scheme for the identification of clinical isolates of gram-negative anaerobic bacilli by conventional bacteriological tests. J. med. Microbiol. 13:231
HollandJ. W., StaufferL. R., AltemeierW. A.1979; Fluorescent antibody test kit for rapid detection and identification of members of the Bacteroides fragilis and Bacteroides melaninogenicus groups in clinical specimens. J. clin. Microbiol. 10:121
HsuP. C, MinshewB. H., WilliamsB. L., LennardE. S.1979; Use of an immunoperoxidase method for identification of Bacteroides fragilis. J. clin. Microbiol. 10:285
KasperD. L., HayesM. E., ReinapB. G., CraftF. O., OnderdonkA. B., PolkB. F.1977; Isolation and identification of encapsulated strains of Bacteroides fragilis. J. infect. Dis. 136:75
LabbéM., DelamareN., PepersackF., CrokaertF., YourassowskyE.1980; Detection of Bacteroides fragilis and Bacteroides melaninogenicus by direct immunofluorescence. J. clin. Path. 33:1189
LambeD. W., JerrisR. C.1976; Description of a polyvalent conjugate and a new serogroup of Bacteroides melaninogenicus by fluorescent antibody staining. J. clin. Microbiol. 3:506