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Infection and Immunity, January 2004, p. 277-283, Vol. 72, No. 1
0019-9567/04/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/IAI.72.1.277-283.2004
Copyright © 2004, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Immunogenicity of Gonococcal Transferrin Binding Proteins during Natural Infections

Gregory A. Price,¹ Marcia M. Hobbs,² and Cynthia Nau Cornelissen^1*

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298-0678,¹ Departments of Medicine and Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599²

Received 10 July 2003/ Returned for modification 17 August 2003/ Accepted 6 October 2003

In this study, we examined the immune response during gonococcal infection to the individual transferrin binding proteins by using a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Recombinant transferrin binding protein A (rTbpA) and rTbpB were purified under nondenaturing conditions for use as ELISA antigens. Sera and secretions from culture-positive individuals were analyzed for antibodies to rTbpA and rTbpB and compared to samples from individuals with no history of gonococcal infection. Although antibodies to both rTbpA and rTbpB were detected in serum, in most cases the antibody levels were not significantly different from those measured in the control population. Also, previous history of gonococcal infection did not increase antibody levels in serum, suggesting the lack of an anamnestic response. Analysis of secretion samples revealed antibody levels that were generally below the limits of detection in our assay. Overall, this study demonstrated a paucity of systemic and local antibody responses to rTbps as a result of natural infection and represents a baseline over which a protective antibody response will have to be generated in order to develop an efficacious gonococcal vaccine.

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* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, P.O. Box 980678, Richmond, VA 23298-0678. Phone: (804) 827-1754. Fax: (804) 828-9946. E-mail: cncornel{at}hsc.vcu.edu.

Editor: J. T. Barbieri

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Infection and Immunity, January 2004, p. 277-283, Vol. 72, No. 1
0019-9567/04/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/IAI.72.1.277-283.2004
Copyright © 2004, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

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