Demonstration of human antibodies to Pseudomonas pseudomallei by indirect fluorescent antibody staining.

A rapid, reliable immunofluorescent assay for human antibodies to Pseudomonas pseudomallei was devised. The method was found to be sensitive and specific by inhibition tests and by tests for cross reactivity with antisera and cells of closely related pseudomonads other than Pseudomonas mallei. Preliminary studies suggest that the technique may be useful as a screening test for the detection of melioidosis and that demonstration of specific IgM by immunofluorescence may be of value in differentiating active from inactive infection.