Detection of Haemophilus influenzae type b antigens in body fluids, using specific antibody-coated staphylococci. 1977

M Suksanong, and A S Dajani

Protein A-rich staphylococci coated with Haemophilus influenzae type b antiserum agglutinate specifically with homologous bacterial cells or with cell-free supernatant fluids of cultures of the organism. Antibody-coated staphylococci were used to detect soluble antigens in body fluids of patients infected with H. influenzae type b. Cerebrospinal fluid from 36 cases of meningitis caused by this orgainsm showed positive coagglutination tests in 86% of patients prior to initiation of therapy. Antigens could be detected in 46% of sterile cerebrospinal fluid specimens obtained from the same cases 1 to 10 days after therapy. Soluble antigens were also detectable in sera (58%) and urine specimens (67%) of patients with H. influenzae type b septicemia, when such specimens were tested within 10 days of onset of illness. No antigen could be detected in body fluids beyond 10 days. The coagglutination test was positive in 57% of all body fluids examined; contercurrent immunoelectrophoresis (CCIE) was positive in only 27%. All specimens positive by CCIE were also positive by coagglutination. No false-positive reactions were noted by either test in body fluids from controls. The coagglutination test is simple, specific, and more sensitive than the CCIE method and could be a valuable tool for detecting antigens in body fluids of patients with various infections.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007711 Klebsiella pneumoniae Gram-negative, non-motile, capsulated, gas-producing rods found widely in nature and associated with urinary and respiratory infections in humans. Bacillus pneumoniae,Bacterium pneumoniae crouposae,Hyalococcus pneumoniae,Klebsiella pneumoniae aerogenes,Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis
D008583 Meningitis, Haemophilus Infections of the nervous system caused by bacteria of the genus HAEMOPHILUS, and marked by prominent inflammation of the MENINGES. HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE TYPE B is the most common causative organism. The condition primarily affects children under 6 years of age but may occur in adults. Haemophilus influenzae Meningitis Type B,Hemophilus influenzae Meningitis Type B,Meningitis, Haemophilus influenzae Type F,Meningitis, Haemophilus parainfluenzae,Meningitis, Hemophilus,Meningitis, Hemophilus influenzae Type F,Meningitis, Hemophilus influenzae, Type B,Meninigitis, HiB,Type B Haemophilus influenzae Meningitis,Type B Hemophilus influenzae Meningitis,Haemophilus Meningitides,Haemophilus Meningitis,Haemophilus parainfluenzae Meningitides,Haemophilus parainfluenzae Meningitis,Hemophilus Meningitides,Hemophilus Meningitis,HiB Meninigitis,Meningitides, Haemophilus,Meningitides, Haemophilus parainfluenzae,Meningitides, Hemophilus
D003378 Counterimmunoelectrophoresis Immunoelectrophoresis in which immunoprecipitation occurs when antigen at the cathode is caused to migrate in an electric field through a suitable medium of diffusion against a stream of antibody migrating from the anode as a result of endosmotic flow. Electrosyneresis,Immunoelectroosmophoresis,Immunoelectrophoresis, Countercurrent,Immunoelectrophoresis, Crossover,Countercurrent Immunoelectrophoresis,Crossover Immunoelectrophoresis
D006193 Haemophilus influenzae A species of HAEMOPHILUS found on the mucous membranes of humans and a variety of animals. The species is further divided into biotypes I through VIII. Bacterium influenzae,Coccobacillus pfeifferi,Haemophilus meningitidis,Hemophilus influenzae,Influenza-bacillus,Mycobacterium influenzae
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000372 Agglutination Tests Tests that are dependent on the clumping of cells, microorganisms, or particles when mixed with specific antiserum. (From Stedman, 26th ed) Agglutination Test,Test, Agglutination,Tests, Agglutination
D000907 Antibodies, Bacterial Immunoglobulins produced in a response to BACTERIAL ANTIGENS. Bacterial Antibodies
D000918 Antibody Specificity The property of antibodies which enables them to react with some ANTIGENIC DETERMINANTS and not with others. Specificity is dependent on chemical composition, physical forces, and molecular structure at the binding site. Antibody Specificities,Specificities, Antibody,Specificity, Antibody
D000942 Antigens, Bacterial Substances elaborated by bacteria that have antigenic activity. Bacterial Antigen,Bacterial Antigens,Antigen, Bacterial
D013210 Staphylococcus A genus of gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic, coccoid bacteria. Its organisms occur singly, in pairs, and in tetrads and characteristically divide in more than one plane to form irregular clusters. Natural populations of Staphylococcus are found on the skin and mucous membranes of warm-blooded animals. Some species are opportunistic pathogens of humans and animals.

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