Immune protection against enterotoxinogenic E. coli: search for synergy between antibodies to enterotoxin and somatic antigens

Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand C. 1982 Feb;90(1):1-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1982.tb01409.x.

Abstract

The protective effect against intestinal challenge with enterotoxinogenic (ent+) E. coli of enterotoxin antibodies alone and in combination with various antibacterial antibodies has been studied in rabbits. Both antibodies against E. coli heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) and cholera toxin were equally effective against different serotypes of ent+ E. coli. Antiserum to purified homologous E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as well as to cross-reactive LPS structures (Re LPS and Common antigen) contained protective antibodies which increased the protection obtained with anti-enterotoxin. Antiserum to whole bacteria acted synergistically with anti-LT against homologous and sometimes also against heterologous E. coli. This synergy remained after complete absorption of the LPS antibodies from the antibacterial serum.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / immunology*
  • Cholera Toxin / immunology*
  • Enterotoxins / immunology*
  • Escherichia coli Infections / immunology*
  • Immune Sera / pharmacology
  • Immunization, Passive
  • Lipopolysaccharides / immunology
  • Rabbits

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Enterotoxins
  • Immune Sera
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Cholera Toxin