Pathogenic and Nonpathogenic Strains of Entamoeba histolytica can beDifferentiated by Monoclonal Antibodies to the Galactose-Specific Adherence Lectin

摘要

Pathogenic determinants found on the outer surfaces of microorganisms determinetheir ability to adhere to and/or invade mammalian tissues. The galactose lectin produced by Entamoeba histolytica provide the basis for development of a model system for the environmental detection of adherence and invasive properties harbored by potential threat agents. Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) directed against the 170 kDa heavy subunit or the amebic lectin defined six nonoverlapping epitopes. We tested 50 pathogenic and nonpathogenic strains of Entamoeba histolytica for reactivity to these mAb. By radio immunoassay mAb to epitopes 1 through 6 reacted with all 16 pathogenic strains tested.