Antigenic characterization of mycobacteria from South American wild seals

Tuberculosis-producing mycobacteria have been previously described in marin e mammals (Cousins et al., 1990, 1993; Romano et al., 1995; Bernardelli et al., 1996). The strains belonged to the M. tuberculosis complex (M. tubercu losis, M, bovis, M. microti and M. africanum), but showed genetic and bioch emical differences, The antigenic composition of mycobacteria isolated from wild seals was analyzed by Western blots, using antibodies against some se lected antigens. The antigenic content was compared with that of M. bovis, M. tuberculosis and M. microti isolates. The lack of Hsp65 protein in super natants suggested a low degree of cell lysis in the three-week cultures use d. SOD, P27 lipoprotein, MPB64 and antigen 85 were observed in all the stra ins studied. The wild seal strains, as well as M. tuberculosis, did not pro duce MPB70 and MPB83. Only very weak bands of P36 antigen were observed in culture supernatants from wild seal mycobacteria. Summarizing, the antigenic composition of mycobacterial strains from wild s eals is different from M. bovis strains. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.