ELECTROPHORETIC AND IMMUNOBLOT ANALYSIS OF CAMPYLOBACTER-FETUS LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDES

Proteinase K-digested cell lysates from 25 Campylobacter fetus subspec ies fetus and C. fetus subsp. venerealis strains were examined by SDS- PAGE and immunoblotting. Three SDS-PAGE lipopolysaccharide (LPS) profi les were observed. Two profiles were consistent with those previously reported for serogroup A and serogroup B and AB isolates and were dist inguished by the relative mobility of bands in the O-chain region and by a strong reaction on immunoblots with homologous antisera. The thir d profile was similar but had faster migrating O-chain bands. Immunobl ot reactions using homologous and heterologous adsorbed antisera showe d that the O-antigen of the C. fetus subsp. fetus reference strain and other profile 2-type LPS strains was distinct from the O-antigens of strains with profile 1- or profile 3-type LPS. O-antigens of strains w ith profile 1- and profile 3-type LPS had shared epitopes. One strain had core components but no detectable O-antigens. Common core LPS anti gens appear to be present in all strains and antibodies to common core LPS epitopes may be useful reagents for rapid detection of C. fetus.