Antigenic determinants and specificity of antisera against acidophilic bacteria

  • B. Koppe
  • H. Harms
Research Paper
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Accepted:

Abstract

Polyclonal antisera, produced against whole cells of Thiobacillus thiooxidans, T. ferrooxidans and Leptospirillum ferrooxidans, gave highly specific reactions when cross-reacted with 23 strains of acidophilic bacteria using an immunofluorescence (IF) staining technique. Strains of identical serotype exhibited maximum cross-reaction whereas strains of different serotype reacted only weakly. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) examined by SDS-PAGE showed different, serotype-specific migration patterns indicating their rough or smooth character. LPS patterns may therefore be used for serological classification of acidophilic bacteria. Surface antigens of four strains were identified by immunoblot staining; LPS and some proteins were antigenic determinants with LPS the most specific.

Key words

Antigen immunofluorescence Leptospirillum ferrooxidans lipopolysaccharide Thiobacillus spp. 
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© Rapid Communications of Oxford Ltd 1994

Authors and Affiliations

  • B. Koppe
  • H. Harms

There are no affiliations available

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