Comparison of protein and lipopolysaccharide patterns of several Coxiella burnetii strains in phase I.

Electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel gradients in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate revealed at least 18 identical protein bands in eight strains of Coxiella burnetii. By staining with Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250 it was possible to visualize clearly at least 40 proteins. The protein pattern showed the greatest variability in the region from 27 to 18.5 kD. Strains S and Priscilla differed from the other strains also in proteins smaller than 18.5 kD. The lipopolysaccharide pattern obtained by the same technique consisted of from 6 to 12 various bands in the region from 23.5 to 11.8 kD. The protein and lipopolysaccharide patterns of four strains isolated from ticks did not significantly differ from those of strains Henzerling and L-35 isolated from men.