Passive immunization with monoclonal antibodies specific for lipopolysaccharide (LPS) O-side chain protects mice against intravenous Yersinia enterocolitica serotype O:3 infection.

Abstract

Passive immunization with monoclonal antibodies specific for the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) O-side chain protected mice against intravenously given lethal doses of Yersinia enterocolitica O:3 bacteria. On the other hand, passive immunization with monoclonal antibody specific for the LPS core oligosaccharide did not protect mice. Neither antibody was able to protect mice against orally given lethal doses of bacteria. These results indicate that the O-side chain functions as an important antigenic structure during infection, and that immunity to it probably offer protection also in the in vivo situation.