CROSS‐REACTIONS BETWEEN NEISSERIA MENINGITIDIS AND TWENTY‐SEVEN OTHER BACTERIAL SPECIES

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Abstract
Cross‐reactions between antigens from N. meningitidis and antigens from 27 other bacterial species from clinical isolates representing 20 different genera were studied by quantitative immunoelectrophoretic methods. A water‐soluble N. meningitidis antigen preparation and a corresponding pooled rabbit antiserum regularly presenting 48 immunoprecipitates were used as reference system. Antigens from 16 other bacterial genera cross‐reacted with one to four N. meningitidis antigens, whereas antigens from six other Neisseria species cross‐reacted with 37 to 48 N. meningitidis antigens. Antigens from only three bacterial genera (Streptococcus, Staphylococcus and Bacteroides) did not show any cross‐reactions. The degree af cross‐reactivity between the antigens were 25–100%, as judged by absorption of antibodies. Three of the cross‐reacting antigens reacted with normally occurring precipitating antibodies in serum from humans and rabbits.