CROSS-REACTIONS BETWEEN BORDETELLA PERTUSSIS AND TWENTY-EIGHT OTHER BACTERIAL SPECIES

Abstract

Cross-reactions between B. pertussis and 28 other bacterial species were studied by various quantitative immunoelectrophoretic methods. A sonicated B. pertussis antigen preparation and a corresponding pooled rabbit antiserum were used as reference system. Two of the B. pertussis antigens were cross-reactive with antigens from 17, respectively 19, other bacterial species, mainly gram-negative species. As judged by absorption of antibodies, the degree of cross-reactivity of these B. pertussis antigens with antigens from other species was found to be in the range 25-50%. Antigens from B. parapertussis and B. bronchiseptica cross-reacted very extensively with B. pertussis, and only 4, respectively 2, of the 44 antigens of the B. pertussis reference system could not be absorbed with antigens from these 2 Bordetella spp.