Chapter VI The Application of Fluorescent Antibody Techniques to the Identification of Actinomyces and Arachnia

Abstract

This chapter discusses the application of fluorescent antibody techniques to the identification of Actinomyces and Arachnia . The identification of Actinomyces and Arachnia isolates is often difficult because of problems in obtaining and maintaining pure cultures, a requirement for special media and procedures, such as end-product analysis, and the need for an extensive set of biochemical tests. Identification is further complicated by the wide range of strain variation within each species. Numerous reports since 1960 indicate that the fluorescent antibody (FA) technique is a convenient tool for species identification of Actinomyces . A variety of media has been used for growing Actinomyces to be used as immunizing antigens. The regular use of available FA techniques in the diagnosis of actinomycosis can provide a more accurate diagnosis for the individual patient and epidemiological data, which is now lacking. With the increasing interest in oral microbiology, caries, and periodontal disease, it should be pointed out that FA is a valuable tool for studying oral ecology.