Antigenic Evidence for Host Origin of Exudative Fluids in Lesions of Treponema Pallidum-infected Rabbits

Overview

Journal Infect Immun

Publisher American Society for Microbiology

Specialty Allergy & Immunology

Date 1985 Jan 1

PMID 3965397

Citations 6

Authors

S M Wos

K Wicher

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Mucoid fluid accumulating within syphilitic lesions has been considered to be of Treponema pallidum origin. To test this assumption, we examined testicular exudative fluids from T. pallidum-infected rabbits for the presence of T. pallidum antigens by various sensitive immunochemical methods, including Western blot analysis. Antigenic analysis of these fluids revealed host components but not treponemal antigens. Prolonged immunization of rabbits, guinea pigs, and a goat with this material in complete Freund adjuvant elicited low titers (fluorescent-treponemal-antibody test titer, less than or equal to 10) of antitreponemal antibodies in the rabbits and guinea pigs but not in the goat. The data suggest that these mucoid fluids are of host origin. The presence of mucopolysaccharides in these fluids may be related to the infective process. The possible mechanism by which mucopolysaccharides protect T. pallidum from immune mechanisms and its potential relationship to the pathogenesis of the disease are discussed.

Citing Articles

Opsonization of Treponema pallidum is mediated by immunoglobulin G antibodies induced only by pathogenic treponemes.

Shaffer J, Lukehart S Infect Immun. 1993; 61(2):781-4.

PMID: 8423106 PMC: 302795. DOI: 10.1128/iai.61.2.781-784.1993.

Polypeptides of Treponema pallidum: progress toward understanding their structural, functional, and immunologic roles. Treponema Pallidum Polypeptide Research Group.

Norris S Microbiol Rev. 1993; 57(3):750-79.

PMID: 8246847 PMC: 372934. DOI: 10.1128/mr.57.3.750-779.1993.

Antigenic contents of Treponema pallidum preparations.

Wos S, Wicher K Genitourin Med. 1986; 62(2):71-4.

PMID: 3522410 PMC: 1011901. DOI: 10.1136/sti.62.2.71.

Immunoglobulin isotypes of anti-Trichomonas vaginalis antibodies in patients with vaginal trichomoniasis.

Wos S, Watt R J Clin Microbiol. 1986; 24(5):790-5.

PMID: 3490492 PMC: 269030. DOI: 10.1128/jcm.24.5.790-795.1986.

Adoptive transfer of immunity to Treponema pallidum Nichols infection in inbred strain 2 and C4D guinea pigs.

Wicher V, Wicher K, Jakubowski A, Nakeeb S Infect Immun. 1987; 55(10):2502-8.

PMID: 3308709 PMC: 260737. DOI: 10.1128/iai.55.10.2502-2508.1987.

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