Antigenic cross-reactivity among isolates of group JK corynebacteria

Using rocket and rocket-line immunoelectrophoresis and immunoblotting it was demonstrated that a group of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including several authenticated Corynebacterium jeikeium strains, shared many cross-reacting antigens. Only weak cross-reactivity was demonstrated with representatives of three other skin corynebacteria, C. bovis, C. hofmanii and C. minutissimum or with non-coryneforms. Differences within C. jeikeium are sufficient to permit the use of immunoblotting as an epidemiological tool.