Antigenic homology within human enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli fimbrial colonization factor antigens: CFA/I, coli-surface-associated antigens (CS)1, CS2, CS4 and CS17.

Immunoglobulins, prepared from polyclonal rabbit antisera raised against Escherichia coli fimbrial antigens, colonization factor antigen (CFA)/I, and coli-surface-associated antigens (CS)1, CS2 and CS4, were used to assess antigenic cross-reactions between these four fimbrial types by Western immunoblotting. Antibodies in a serum, prepared against CS4, cross-reacted strongly with the fimbrial subunits of CFA/I, CS1 and CS2. Antibodies in sera prepared against CFA/I and CS1 gave weak reactions with CS1 or CFA/I respectively and also with CS2 and CS4, while the antiserum prepared against CS2 did not react. CS4 antiserum also reacted with the CS17 fimbrial subunit, but not with the subunits of fimbrial antigens: CFA/III, CS5, putative colonization factor (PCF) 0159:H4 or PCF0166.