Immunochemical Investigations of Cell Surface Antigens of Anaerobic Bacteria
Abstract
Isolates of Bacteroides fragilis from 83 infected patients were collected over two years. Of 103 isolates, 68% were subspecies fragilis. This was the single most common subspecies isolated from blood, intraabdominal wound, perirectal, pelvic, and other sites. Sixteen patients had B. fragilis isolated in pure culture. Using several techniques to demonstrate capsules, only B. fragilis strain classified as ss. fragilis were encapsulated. An indirect immunofluorescence assay was developed to identify clinical isolates for the presence of capsular material immunologically similar to that found in the reference strain of B. fragilis ss. fragilis. Studies were designed to determine the relative ability of encapsulated and unencapsulated B. fragilis to promote abscess formation in an experimental rat model of intra-abdominal sepsis. Antibody studies using a sensitive radioactive antigen binding assay demonstrated that rats receiving B. fragilis implants developed serum antibodies directed to the capsular material. In a study of human infections we examined paired sera from women with acute pelvic inflammatory disease for the presence of antibodies to the capsular polysaccharide of B. fragilis ss. fragilis. Originator supplied keywords include: virulence; wound infections; Anaerobic bacteria; vaccines; protection; immunity.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 15, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA155747
Entities
People
- Dennis L Kasper
Organizations
- Harvard Medical School