Immunological cross-reactivity of a Mycoplasma pneumoniae membrane-associated protein antigen with Mycoplasma genitalium and Acholeplasma laidlawii.

A murine monoclonal antibody, OC2F5, reacts with a Mycoplasma pneumoniae antigen with an approximate Mr of 43,000. This antigen is trypsin and proteinase K sensitive and partitions in the detergent phase of a Triton X-114 solution. The monoclonal antibody cross-reacts with an antigen from both Mycoplasma genitalium and Acholeplasma laidlawii with a similar molecular weight. This cross-reactivity should be considered in the development of M. pneumoniae antigen detection systems based on the use of antibodies directed to this protein antigen.