Monoclonal antibody serotyping of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in human keratitis

M. K. Shah, J. P. Milite, D. C. Ritterband, J. A. Seedor, S. A. McCormick

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Abstract

Purpose. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a major cause of ocular and nosocomial infections, may be characterized by O-antigen(O-Ag) monoclonal antibody serotyping of the polysaccharide chain which contributes to the hydrophilicity of the bacterial cell wall. This study was undertaken to determine subtypes of P. aeruginosa isolates from corneal ulcers. To the best of our knowledge, serotyping of human Pseudomonas keratitis has not been reported. Methods. 88 consecutive P. aeruginosa corneal ulcers identified in the Microbiology Lab of The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary were subcultured and incubated for 12-18 hours at 37° C. A serotyping kit (Rougier-Biotech) containing murine monoclonal antibodies against 17 O-serotype separated into three groups (A, B, C) was employed. A sample of each antibody pool (A, B, C) was combined with a small inoculum of each bacteria and observed for agglutination. If agglutination was observed, the test was repeated with each O-Ag antibody specific to that group. If no agglutination occurred, the bacterium was considered non-typeable. Results. Of the 88 isolates, 44 (50%) were O-Ag group A (O1-O5), 17 (19%) were group B (O6-O14), and 11 (13%) were group C (O10-O17). The most common serotype was O-1, which comprised 16 (18%) of the total series. A total of 14 different serotypes were identified. 16 bacteria were non-typeable. Conclusions. O-Ag serotyping utilizing murine monoclonal antibodies allows subtyping of P. aeruginosa isolates in human keratitis. Further investigation of the serotype profiles may provide insight into the clinical pathogenicity of each serotoype. Comparisons with non-ocular Pseudomonas infections may help elucidate virulance of specific subtypes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)S875
JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science
Volume37
Issue number3
StatePublished - 15 Feb 1996

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