Heterogeneity of Environmental, Retail, and Clinical Isolates of Vibrio vulnificus as Determined by Lipopolysaccharide-Specific Monoclonal Antibodies

摘要

The opportunistic pathogen Vibrio vulnificus expresses lipopolysaccharide (LPS) antigens on its outer membrane surface. A serological typing system was developed for these antigens, utilizing the discriminatory recognition of monoclonal antibodies (Mab) by ELISA. Mab were used to recognize five unique types of LPS-associated antigens for examination of clinical, environmental, and retail isolates of V. Vulnificus.