Immunoelectrophoretic characterization and cross-reactivity of Rochalimaea henselae, Rochalimaea quintana and Afipia felis.

The soluble antigens of Rochalimaea henselae, Rochalimaea quintana and Afipia felis were characterized by crossed immunoelectrophoresis using bacterial sonicates as antigens against pooled hyperimmune rabbit sera. A precipitin pattern was drawn for each bacterium and shown to be reproducible and stable even when normal or preimmune rabbit serum was incorporated in the intermediate gel. By this technique 56 antigens were identified from R. henselae, 49 from R. quintana, and 39 from A. felis. The serological cross-reaction between R. henselae, R. quintana and A. felis, and between these 3 bacteria and 32 pathogenic bacteria was analysed by rocket-line immunoelectrophoresis, crossed-line immunoelectrophoresis, and tandem-crossed electrophoresis. It was concluded that (i) 4-7 antigens distinguish R. henselae, R. quintana and A. felis from each other, (ii) both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria cross-react with R. henselae, R. quintana and A. felis antisera, (iii) the cross-reacting antigens of Gram-negative bacteria have both precipitating and non-precipitating specificities, whereas Gram-positive bacteria have mainly non-precipitating specificities, (iv) the cross-reacting antigens are common to several species, and (v) fewer cross-reacting antigens are found in phylogenetically disparate species than in more closely related species.