DETECTION AND SPECIFICITY OF ANTI-STAPHYLOCOCCUS INTERMEDIUS SECRETORY IGA IN HUMAN TEARS

Purpose: Secretory IgA (sIgA) is the predominant immunoglobulin presen t in tears that protects the ocular surface against various antigens. Staphylococcus intermedius is a member of the normal ocular microbiota . Methods: The presence and the specificity of immunoglobulin A to S, intermedius was determined by fluorescent assay, ELISA and western blo ts. Results: Three immunodominant antigens of S. intermedius were dete cted of 145, 127 and 61 kDa Staphylococcus intermedius-specific IgA cr oss reacted with Staphylococcus aureus but not with Gram negative bact eria. Conclusions: This indicates that specific IgA may play an import ant role in the protection of the eye by limiting the levels of Gram p ositive normal microbiota and defending against the more pathogenic S. aureus.