Role of flagellar protein and other proteins in Campylobacter jejuni heat-labile serotyping system

Abstract

Antigens of the Campylobacter jejuni heat-labile serotyping system developed by Lior were analysed by immunoblotting. The essential component of C. jejuni strains recognized in serogroups 5, 6, 7 and 16 was the 62,000 Da (62 kDa) molecular weight flagellar protein and loss of flagella resulted in the untypability of these strains in the homologous absorbed antisera. In contrast, an unflagellated derivative of a serogroup 38 strain maintained its serogroup specificity in the corresponding-absorbed antiserum. Immunoblots of C. jejuni serotype 38 strains demonstrated weak recognition of three other proteins (45, 38 and 31 kDa) in both flagellate and aflagellate derivatives. A minor component was attributed to the flagellum which was present only in the flagellated derivative. Although for several serogroups, the main component of the heat-labile serotyping system was the flagellum, other somatic antigens appeared to play a role in recognition of at least one serogroup.