Characterization of epitope specificity of Proteus penneri 7 lipopolysaccharide core region

To extend the knowledge on the fragments of Proteus penneri lipopolysaccharide core regions, which determine the cross-reactions with specific antibodies, serological studies were performed by use of P. penneri 7 core-specific antiserum and Proteus sp. lipopolysaccharides. Different reactivity of the tested antiserum with three groups of antigens suggested differences in their core regions' epitope specificity. Comparing the results of the serological investigations with the previously determined structures of the core regions of the tested P. penneri lipopolysaccharides allowed distinguishing two potential tri- and tetrasaccharide epitopes and a third fragment which could not be determined precisely.