The determination of the location of the antigens of the causative agent of melioidosis at the ultrastructural level by using monoclonal antibodies]

The indirect immunoperoxidase method with the use of monoclonal antibodies has been employed to determine the localization of antigens of melioidosis agents. The formed reaction products were then detected by the electron microscopic analysis. The most important in melioidosis pathogenesis antigens 6 and 8 (AG 6 and AG 8) were determined to localize on the cell wall and in the capsule-like mucous layer, respectively. Monoclonal antibodies to AG 8 due to their marked cross-linking properties promote stabilization, preservation and detection of labile melioidosis agent. At the same time the mucous layer prevents monoclonal antibodies to AG 6 to access to the corresponding antigen, localized on the cell wall and makes its detection difficult.