Abstract |
Tularemia was diagnosed in 57 patients during an outbreak in central Norway in 1984 and 1985. Clinical categories of the disease showed seasonal variations. A bacterial microagglutination test and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with class-specific antibodies against Francisella tularensis outer membrane (OM) antigens were evaluated for the early diagnosis of tularemia. ELISA with immunoglobulin G ( IgG), IgA, or IgM antibodies and the microagglutination test differed only marginally in diagnostic sensitivity. The OM preparation harbored F. tularensis agglutinogens and contained a variety of proteins, several of which functioned as immunogens in tularemia patients, as shown by Western blotting (immunoblotting). All 12 patients tested produced antibodies against a 43,000-molecular-weight OM protein. Individual variation was noted with regard to antibody response against other OM antigens. The OM is a suitable antigen preparation in ELISA for the diagnosis of tularemia and, presumably, contains antigens important in the immunobiology of tularemia.
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Authors | L Bevanger, J A Maeland, A I Naess |
Journal | Journal of clinical microbiology
(J Clin Microbiol)
Vol. 26
Issue 3
Pg. 433-7
(Mar 1988)
ISSN: 0095-1137 [Print] United States |
PMID | 3356786
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Agglutinins
- Antibodies, Bacterial
- Antigens, Bacterial
- Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins
- Immunoglobulins
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Agglutination Tests
- Agglutinins
(analysis)
- Antibodies, Bacterial
(analysis)
- Antigens, Bacterial
(immunology)
- Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins
(immunology)
- Child
- Disease Outbreaks
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- Francisella tularensis
(immunology)
- Humans
- Immunoassay
- Immunoglobulins
(immunology)
- Middle Aged
- Norway
- Tularemia
(diagnosis, epidemiology, microbiology)
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