F. Papa

Specificity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis phenolic glycolipid (PGL-Tb1) antiserum

The specificity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis anti-PGL-Tb1 antiserum prepared in rabbits was evaluated by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. It was found that the antiserum immunoreacted with its homologous antigen but not with purified phenolic glycolipids from M. bovis BCG (mycoside B), M. kansasii (mycoside A), M. leprae (PGL-I) or M. marinum (mycoside G). The analysis of chloroform/methanol extracts from 15 strains of M. tuberculosis showed that all formed the antigen except the type strain (strain H37Rv). Chloroform/methanol extracts of M. bovis BCG, M. xenopi, M. flavescens and M. fallax cross-reacted with the immune serum. However, chloroform/methanol extracts of representative strains of 18 other mycobacterial species did not react, therefore indicating that these did not contain the antigen.

A simple and reliable EDDA method for mycobactin production in mycobacteria: Optimal conditions and use in mycobacterial speciation

Ethylenediamino-di-(0-hydroxyphenylacetic acid) (EDDA) was found to be a suitable iron chelator for investigating mycobactin production in mycobacteria. The optimal conditions of EDDA concentration and time of exposure were established and were used to develop a twostep method for mycobactin production. Applied to representative strains of selected species, the method was found to yield reliable results useful for identification and speciation of mycobacteria.

Chromatographic and serologic identity of the specific phenolglycolipids PGL-K1 from Mycobacterium kansasii and PGL-G1 from M. Gastri

Mycobacterium kansasii and M. gastri formed chromatographically and serologically identical phenolglycolipid antigens, designated respectively PGL-K1 and PGL-G1, in ELISA. Antisera prepared in rabbits did not bind the PGL-1 from M. leprae nor the crude extracts of 20 other mycobacterial species.

IgG and IgM Antibodies Immunoreacting with a 2,3-Diacyl Trehalose-2′-sulphate in Sera from Leprosy Patients

The distribution of IgG and IgM antibodies immunoreacting with the sulpholipid I (SLI) and sulpholipid IV (SLIV) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was examined in sera from leprosy patients. It was found that the immunological reactions correlated with the clinical spectrum of leprosy; and in multibacillary patients, antibody titres declined in response to successful treatment. The serological patterns were similar to the PGL I patterns, however, the IgG responses towards the sulpholipids were predominant over the IgM responses in the case of the sulpholipid antigens.

Thin-layer chromatography systems for the identification of Mycobacterium tubercolosis, M. bovis BCG, M. kansasii, M. gastrim and M. marinum

Knowledge of mycobacterial glycolipid antigens and the study of their specificity have resulted in their utilization as species markers. We describe a thin-layer chromatography method which could serve as a useful adjunct for the identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. bovis BCG, M. kansasii, M. gastri and M. marinum.

Comparative Antigenic Analysis of ' 'Gordona aurantiaca" and Mycobacterium fallax

Treatment of mycobacterial cells with Triton X-100 allowed the extraction and solubilization of antigens. Such extracts provided species-specific crossed immunoelectrophoresis profiles which demonstrated that “Gordona aurantiaca” and Mycobacterium fallax are antigenically distinct. Using the Mycobacterium bovis BCG antiserum as a reference, we showed that M. fallax and M. bovis BCG are more related to each other than “G. aurantiaca” is to both species.