ANTIBODY-RESPONSE IN RABBITS INFECTED WITH ROCHALIMAEA-HENSELAE, ROCHALIMAEA-QUINTANA AND AFIPIA-FELIS

Antibody responses in three pairs of rabbits inoculated with live Roch alimaea henselae, Rochalimaea quintana and Afipia felis were studied b y enzyme immunoassay with whole-cell and bacterial sonicates as antige n. No differences in measured antibody responses were found with the t wo types of antigen preparation. Two rabbits did not respond with anti body production. In the remaining rabbits there was a low-titred antib ody response that showed no significant cross-reaction with related ba cteria. After rechallenge the antibody response rose significantly and there was significant cross-reaction with related bacteria. The antig ens involved in the antibody response were examined by crossed immunoe lectrophoresis. After the initial inoculation 5-7 precipitin lines of the reference diagrams were deflected, including lines which cross-rea cted with antigens found in related bacterial species. After reinocula tion several more precipitin lines were deflected, including additiona l lines cross-reacting with antigens present in related bacteria and c ommon bacterial antigens.