Lack of Opsonic Antibody Responses to Invasive Infections With .

INTRODUCTION

can cause severe recurrent infections. This study aimed to investigate antibody responses following bacteraemia and possible development of protective immunity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with bacteraemia in the county of Skåne between 2017 and 2018 were prospectively included. Acute and convalescent sera were obtained. All isolates were typed and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was utilised to analyse specific antibody responses to bacteria and antigens. Bactericidal- and phagocytosis assays were applied to further establish antibody function.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients with bacteraemia were included of whom one had recurrent episodes of bacteraemia. Using ELISA with isolates and mutants, development of IgG antibodies was demonstrated in few patients. Type-specific antibodies were demonstrated in one patient when recombinant M proteins as antigens, were applied. The type-specific serum mediated a small increase in phagocytosis but did not facilitate increased killing of the isolate, carrying that M protein, in blood or by phagocytic cells.

CONCLUSION

bacteraemia sometimes results in increased levels of antibodies to the infecting pathogen. We did not find evidence that these antibodies are effectively opsonising. Apparent failure to produce opsonising antibodies might partially explain why can cause recurrent invasive infections in the same host.