Western blot can distinguish natural and acquired antibodies to Mycoplasma agassizii in the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii)

Journal of Microbiological Methods
K W HunterC R Tracy

Abstract

Mycoplasma agassizi has been identified as a cause of upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) in the threatened Mojave population of the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), and anti-M. agassizii antibodies have been found by ELISA in as many as 15% of these animals across their geographic range. Here we report that a cohort of 16 egg-reared desert tortoises never exposed to M. agassizii had ELISA antibody titers to this organism that overlapped with titers obtained from some M. agassizii-infected tortoises. These natural antibodies were predominantly of the IgM class. Western blots of plasma from these non-infected tortoises produced a characteristic banding pattern against M. agassizii antigens. A group of 38 wild-caught desert tortoises was tested by ELISA, and although some of these tortoises had antibody titers significantly higher than the non-infected tortoises, there was considerable overlap at the lower titer levels. However, Western blot analysis revealed distinct banding patterns that could readily distinguish between the non-infected tortoises and tortoises with acquired antibodies, regardless of ELISA antibody titers. We conclude that desert tortoises have natural antibodies to M. agassizii that can compromise the ...Continue Reading

References

Sep 1, 1979·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·H TowbinJ Gordon
Apr 1, 1991·Journal of Wildlife Diseases·E R JacobsonC Reggiardo
Jan 1, 1972·Folia Microbiologica·A A Benedict, L W Pollard
Apr 1, 1984·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·K HayakawaL A Herzenberg
Dec 10, 1997·Journal of Wildlife Diseases·P E LederleJ L Boone
Jul 14, 2001·Molecular Immunology·M Boes
Aug 16, 2001·Journal of Wildlife Diseases·K H Berry, M M Christopher
Apr 11, 2003·Journal of Wildlife Diseases·Mary M ChristopherKenneth A Nagy
Apr 27, 2004·The Protein Journal·Miranda K AdelmanJohn J Marchalonis
Jan 6, 2005·Springer Seminars in Immunopathology·Nicole BaumgarthLeonore A Herzenberg

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Nov 7, 2014·Journal of Wildlife Diseases·Kristin H BerryMa Cristina Meléndez Torres
Jun 22, 2014·The Veterinary Journal·Elliott R JacobsonKristin H Berry
Aug 13, 2015·Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases·Danielle M R L MiddletonAnne C La Flamme
Mar 6, 2012·Developmental and Comparative Immunology·Shicui ZhangHongmiao Wang
Feb 10, 2018·Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health·Robert BayersdorfFrancesco Catania
Nov 27, 2018·Royal Society Open Science·Chava L WeitzmanC Richard Tracy

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.