RECOGNITION OF LEPTOSPIRA-INTERROGANS ANTIGENS BY VACCINATED OR INFECTED-DOGS

Antigenic recognition of leptospiral antigens by vaccinated or infecte d dogs was studied by microagglutination test (MAT) and by western blo ts. In western blots, serovar specific antigens detected by MAT migrat ed in the 18-31 kDa zone. The 25-31 zone seemed to be linked to antige ns indicating virulence of the strain. These antigens are LPS. The fir st antibodies made after infection are produced against LPS migrating in the 14 kDa zone. Many protein antigens are common in leptospires be longing to different serogroups. Virulent strains exhibited specific a ntigens in the 45 and 32-34 kDa zones.