Abstract
The elongation factor Tu has been identified as one of the most immunoreactive proteins that was recognized by human sera of GBS (group B streptococcus) positive patients. In this paper, we present the polypeptide-specific epitopes of the bacterial protein that are recognized by human antibodies: 28LTAAITTVLARRLP41 (peptide no. 3) and 294GQVLAKPGSINPHTKF309 (peptide no. 21). To determine the shortest amino acid sequence recognized by antibodies, truncation peptide libraries were prepared using the PEPSCAN method. The analysis of immunoreactivity of peptides with sera of GBS positive and negative women revealed that the most immunoreactive sequence was 306HTKF309. Moreover, we observed that this sequence also showed the highest specificity which was based on ratio of reactivity with sera of GBS positive relative to sera of GBS negative patients. Epitope was synthetized on Wang resin with the Fmoc strategy. Our results open the possibility to use 306HTKF309 peptide in diagnostic assays to determine Streptococcus agalactiae infection in humans.
Highlights
IntroductionStreptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus, GBS) is a Gram-positive bacterium that can colonize human gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts without any symptoms of diseases
Streptococcus agalactiae is a Gram-positive bacterium that can colonize human gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts without any symptoms of diseases
We identified specific epitopes of the bacterial protein EF-Tu that are recognized by human antibodies
Summary
Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus, GBS) is a Gram-positive bacterium that can colonize human gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts without any symptoms of diseases. Ten to thirty percent of pregnant women are estimated to be colonized with GBS (Johri et al, 2013), which can be dangerous for newborn children. In south-eastern Poland, the colonization with S. agalactiae among pregnant women amounts to 30%, and the increase in the number of infections in term newborns reaches 0.15 per 1,000 live births, whereas in the preterm newborn incidence of infection increase to 6 cases per 1,000 live births (Brzychczy-Włoch et al, 2013a,b; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2015). In the 1980s, to decrease the risk of GBS transmission to newborns, administration of antibiotic during labor of GBS positive women was recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
