Identification of cross-reactive antigens between Mycoplasma pulmonis and Mycoplasma arthritidis.

Serological cross-reactivity between Mycoplasma pulmonis and Mycoplasma arthritidis was investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunoanalysis of electrophoretic blots, and protein A immunoprecipitation reactions. The results demonstrate that one-way cross-reactivity was present in both hyperimmunized and naturally infected rats and that the predominant cross-reactive antigens were M. pulmonis surface proteins. Distinct immunoblot patterns were demonstrated for M. pulmonis and M. arthritidis, allowing differentiation of the two species. The response to M. arthritidis antigens during natural infections differed greatly from that during hyperimmunization. Evidence suggested that nonprotein antigens were major determinants eliciting the antibody response to this mycoplasma.