Addition of monoclonal antibodies specific for Rickettsia akari to the rickettsial diagnostic panel.

Abstract

Monoclonal antibodies were produced from mice infected with Rickettsia akari (the etiologic agent of rickettsialpox) and evaluated for specificity in indirect fluorescent-antibody tests with 23 different rickettsial antigens. Of the nine antibodies that were evaluated, two were specific for R. akari and four reacted with R. akari and all other spotted fever group rickettsiae. The remaining three antibodies reacted with some, but not all, members of the spotted fever group. None of the antibodies reacted with typhus, scrub typhus, trench fever, or Q fever rickettsiae. Adding these antibodies to the list of available diagnostic reagents will facilitate identification of rickettsial diseases, particularly those caused by members of the spotted fever group, where the clinical presentations are similar and the etiologic agents are closely related antigenically.

• Authors: J E McDade, C M Black, L F Roumillat, M A Redus, C L Spruill
• Journal: Journal of clinical microbiology (J Clin Microbiol) Vol. 26 Issue 10 Pg. 2221-3 (Oct 1988) ISSN: 0095-1137 [Print] United States
• PMID: 3183012 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal

Topics

• Animals
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (biosynthesis)
• Antibody Specificity
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Rickettsia (immunology)
• Rickettsiaceae Infections (diagnosis)