Biovar-specific epitopes of the urease enzyme of Ureaplasma urealyticum

The importance of Ureaplasma urealyticum as a pathogen in premature neonates and patients with a profound defect in humoral immunity has, over the last few years, become well recognised. U. urealyticum is unique amongst the Mycoplasmataceae for its use of urea metabolism as an essential source of energy. The urease enzyme responsible for this is, therefore, of prime importance and any variability in expression of this enzyme may play a role in virulence of the organism. U. urealyticum is divided into 14 serovars comprising two biovars -- the parvo-biovar and T960-biovar. In this study monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were produced against the urease enzyme. Two distinct epitopes of the 72-kDa alpha-subunit were recognised by three different MAbs. Under denaturing conditions both epitopes were shown to be specific for the parvo-biovar.