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Characterization of sequential immune complexes in infective endocarditis by Western blot analysis
Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|July 1, 1984
Summary
This study identified Lactobacillus casei antigens within immune complexes (IC) in a patient with infective endocarditis and vasculitis. Characterizing these ICs offers insights into the inciting bacterial antigen.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Dermatology
Background:
- Cutaneous vasculitis can be a manifestation of infective endocarditis.
- Lactobacillus casei is a rare cause of infective endocarditis.
Observation:
- Immune complexes (IC) were isolated from a patient with Lactobacillus casei infective endocarditis and cutaneous vasculitis.
- IC were analyzed using SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and Western blot techniques.
Findings:
- Both early and late IC contained a 60,000 dalton component specific to L. casei.
- This bacterial component was identified within the IC, despite quantitative differences between early and late samples.
- Western blot analysis proved effective for characterizing IC and preserving immunoreactivity.
Implications:
- Characterizing immune complexes can reveal the inciting antigen in complex infections.
- This study highlights the utility of Western blot for immune complex analysis.
- Understanding IC composition offers insights into pathogenesis of endocarditis-associated vasculitis.