The Journal of Medical Microbiology, Vol 30, Issue 2 129-136, Copyright © 1989 by Society for General Microbiology
Characterisation of monoclonal antibodies for detection of Mobiluncus spp. in genital specimens
C. A. Ison, B. Kolator, J. H. Reid, E. Dermott, J. Clark and C. S. Easmon
Department of Medical Microbiology, Wright-Fleming Institute, St Mary's Hospital Medical School, Paddington, London.
Monoclonal antibodies were raised to the anaerobic curved rods, Mobiluncus
curtisii subsp. curtisii NCTC 11656, M. curtisii subsp. holmesii NCTC 11657
and M. mulieris NCTC 11658. Three antibodies reacted with the two
subspecies of M. curtisii and, when used in combination against clinical
isolates, showed 100% sensitivity and specificity in immunofluorescence
studies. Immunoblotting showed that two of these antibodies reacted with an
epitope on a protein which had an electrophoretic mobility corresponding to
a Mr of 75 Kda in the absence of a reducing agent and 82 Kda in its
presence in both type strains and in clinical isolates. The third antibody
reacted with an epitope in type strains which had a mobility corresponding
to 75 Kda and was unaffected by a reducing agent. However, in clinical
isolates the epitope was present on a protein of 75 Kda or 71 Kda, or on
both. A fourth antibody showed reactivity with M. mulieris NCTC 11658
alone, but only 6 (24%) of 25 clinical isolates gave positive results by
immunofluorescence. The epitope is believed to be present on a protein of
greater than 90 Kda. All four antibodies were shown by immunogold staining
to be directed against epitopes exposed on the cell surface.
