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Detection of microbial surface antigens that bind Lewis(a) antigen
S D Essery1, D M Weir, V S James
1Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical School, University of Edinburgh, UK.
FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology
|June 1, 1994
Summary
Microbial adhesins binding the Lewis(a) blood group antigen are widespread. This study used anti-idiotypic antibodies to screen various species, finding prevalence in Staphylococcus aureus, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Blood Group Serology
Background:
- The Lewis(a) blood group antigen serves as a receptor for various pathogenic microorganisms.
- Understanding the distribution of microbial adhesins that bind Lewis(a) is crucial for infection control and diagnostics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of microbial adhesins that bind to the Lewis(a) blood group antigen across different species.
- To explore the utility of anti-idiotypic antibodies in identifying these microbial adhesins.
Main Methods:
- Utilized anti-idiotypic antibodies generated against monoclonal anti-Lewis(a) antibodies.
- Employed coagglutination assays to screen a diverse range of microbial species for Lewis(a) antigen binding.
Main Results:
- Significant agglutination observed with Staphylococcus aureus (7/7 strains).
- Prevalence of binding noted in Neisseria meningitidis (53%) and Haemophilus influenzae (62%).
- Limited binding detected in Helicobacter pylori, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Candida albicans.
Conclusions:
- Microbial adhesins targeting the Lewis(a) antigen are common, particularly in Gram-negative bacteria like H. influenzae and N. meningitidis.
- Anti-idiotypic antibodies are effective tools for studying host-microbe interactions and identifying adhesins.
- Findings support the development of novel diagnostic and epidemiological reagents based on Lewis(a) binding.