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. 1993 Feb;61(2):781–784. doi: 10.1128/iai.61.2.781-784.1993

Opsonization of Treponema pallidum is mediated by immunoglobulin G antibodies induced only by pathogenic treponemes.

J M Shaffer 1, S A Baker-Zander 1, S A Lukehart 1
PMCID: PMC302795  PMID: 8423106

Abstract

Rabbit antisera to Leptospira interrogans, Borrelia hermsii, and Treponema phagedenis biotype Reiter, reactive to shared spirochetal antigens, failed to enhance phagocytosis of Treponema pallidum by macrophages, while immunoglobulin G to Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue and Treponema paraluiscuniculi promoted phagocytosis. Opsonic antibodies are directed to pathogen-restricted, not shared spirochetal, antigens.

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Selected References

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