Homologous and cross-reacting antibodies in the sera of gnotobiotic rats

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Abstract
Sera from Sprague–Dawley rats monoassociated with Clostridium perfringens, C. tertium, C. bifermenlans, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, or Klebsiella pneumoniae for 4 weeks were assayed for homologous and cross-reacting antibodies against antigens on a variety of bacteria. A passive hemagglutination assay, with the antigen(s) consisting of bacteria conjugated to tanned sheep red blood cells, was used to assess antibody titers. Both homologous and cross-reacting antibodies were detected in sera that were collected from the monoassociated animals. Sera from monoassociated rats had agglutinating antibody to genera of bacteria that had not colonized their gastrointestinal tract. Although S. aureus shared some antigens with three species of Clostridium, the relationship was not reciprocal. Sera from rats monoassociated with E. coli, P. mirabilis, or K. pneumoniae had cross-reactive antibody against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, but did not have antibodies that could agglutinate H. influenzae type b. Monoassociation with C. perfringens resulted in the production of antibodies against a variety of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, but it did not induce cross-reactive antibodies against Corynebacterium diphtheriae, streptococci (groups A, C, and G), or Staphylococcus epidennidis.

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