Intestinal secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) response to Aeromonas exoproteins in patients with naturally acquired Aeromonas diarrhea

The secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) response at the intestinal mucosa is one of the primary defense mechanisms protecting against enteric infections and may therefore be used as an indicator of bacterial enteropathogenicity . In order to understand the role played by Aeromonas strains as gastrointe stinal infectious agents, the sIgA response in fecal specimens obtained fro m patients with naturally acquired Aeromonas diarrhea was examined. Our res ults demonstrated a specific sIgA response which was directed against the e xoproteins produced by Aeromonas strains. The specific Aeromonas sIgA react ed with extracellular products showing molecular masses similar to those of the Aeromonas hemolytic toxins such as acrolysin and AHH1. Some reactions were directed against other proteins that are known to be important factors in the pathogenicity of Aeromonas. The specific responses highlighted are in support of the view that one should consider at least certain biotypes o f Aeromonas enteropathogenic. (C) 2001 Federation of European Microbiologic al Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.