Polyclonal antibody responses against Listeria monocytogenes 4b surface proteins in asymptomatic human carriers
Title:
Polyclonal antibody responses against Listeria monocytogenes 4b surface proteins in asymptomatic human carriers
Author:
Eriksson, Patricia V. Thomas, Carlos Manghi, Marcela A.
Appeared in:
Food & agricultural immunology
Paging:
Volume 10 (1998) nr. 2 pages 173-181
Year:
1998-06
Contents:
Listeria monocytogenes 4b surface protein extract was used in an immunoblot assay to analyze the antibody profile in sera from 40 healthy urban workers (U group), 40 healthy slaughterhouse workers (W group) and four healthy carriers with positive L. monocytogenes 4b feces culture (positive controls). In addition, pooled rabbit sera, before and after immunization with L. monocytogenes 4b whole-cell suspension, were analyzed against L. monocytogenes 4b surface protein extract in order to determine the specific L. monocytogenes 4b antibody pattern. The degree of similarity (S) between such a pattern and each of those obtained with serum samples from the three subject groups was assessed. For U and W group sera, mean S values were 24.3 ± 13.5 and 32.8 ± 14.3, respectively. An S value greater than 65, corresponding to mean SU value ± 3 standard deviation, was considered as an indicator of a healthy carrier. Thus, the estimated healthy carrier percentages found in U and W groups were 2.5 and 5%, respectively. The proposed immunoblot assay may prove a useful tool for epidemiological surveys to determine whether a healthy person is a L. monocytogenes 4b carrier.