Teichoic acid serology in staphylococcal infections of infants and children

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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Capsular Serotyping of Streptococcus pneumoniae Using the Quellung Reaction
04:25

Capsular Serotyping of Streptococcus pneumoniae Using the Quellung Reaction

Published on: February 24, 2014

C T Le, E B Lewin

    The Journal of Pediatrics
    |October 1, 1978
    PubMed

    Insights

    Detecting antibodies to staphylococcal teichoic acids using counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) and gel diffusion aids in diagnosing invasive infections caused by coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS) in children.

    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Immunology
    • Pediatric Infectious Diseases

    Background:

    • Staphylococcal infections, particularly those caused by coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS), pose significant risks in infants and children.
    • Accurate and timely diagnosis of invasive CPS infections is crucial for effective treatment and improved patient outcomes.
    • Antibodies to staphylococcal teichoic acids have been investigated as potential biomarkers for staphylococcal infections.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate the utility of counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) and gel diffusion in detecting and titrating antibodies to staphylococcal teichoic acids.
    • To assess the correlation between the presence of these antibodies and various disease states caused by CPS in pediatric patients.
    • To determine if teichoic acid serology can serve as an adjunct diagnostic tool for invasive CPS infections.

    Main Methods:

    • Counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) and gel diffusion techniques were employed for antibody detection and titration.
    • Serum samples were collected from infants and children on admission and serially for 2 to 12 weeks during their illness.
    • Patients were categorized into groups based on the presence and type of staphylococcal infection (invasive with bacteremia, non-invasive, or caused by other organisms) and control groups.

    Main Results:

    • Teichoic acid antibodies were detected by CIE in 57% of patients with invasive CPS disease and bacteremia, compared to 12% in those with CPS infection without bacteremia.
    • No antibodies were detected in patients with bacteremia/invasive infections caused by organisms other than CPS, nor in non-infected controls.
    • Gel diffusion proved effective for antibody titration in seropositive individuals.

    Conclusions:

    • Teichoic acid serology, particularly when assessed by CIE and gel diffusion, is a valuable supplementary diagnostic method for invasive CPS infections in children.
    • The presence of teichoic acid antibodies may indicate endothelial or metastatic staphylococcal infections.
    • This serological approach can aid clinicians in identifying and managing severe staphylococcal infections.

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