Polyclonal antibody responses against Listeria monocytogenes 4b surface proteins in asymptomatic human carriers |
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Authors: | Patricia V. Eriksson Carlos Thomas Marcela A. Manghi |
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Affiliation: | 1. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral (CONICET‐UBA), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica , Universidad de Buenos Aires , Junín 956 4° piso, (1113), Buenos Aires , Argentina;2. Laboratorio alfa , Paysandu , Uruguay;3. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral (CONICET‐UBA), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica , Universidad de Buenos Aires , Junín 956 4° piso, (1113), Buenos Aires , Argentina Phone: 54 1 964 8260 Fax: 54 1 964 8260 E-mail: manghim@ffyb.uba.ar |
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Abstract: | 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. |
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Keywords: | Listeria monocytogenes healthy carrier antibodies |
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