Antibody analysis of relationships among methanogenic bacteria.

A bank of antisera to the majority of methanogenic bacteria is now available. Three antibody probes, R, S, and T, were derived from each antiserum in the bank and used for analysis of antigenic relatedness among methanogens by immunofluorescence. The T probe reacted only with the immunizing (or homologous) strain, the S probe gave strong cross-reactions with strains of the same species, and the R probe revealed some interspecies relationships. The results were confirmed and extended by enzyme immunoassays and standard serological methods involving serial dilution analysis, cross-adsorptions, and the use of reference strains. The immunological methods and standardized antibody probes are useful for rapid identification of methanogens and measurements of antigenic relationships which aid in the classification of these bacteria.