Cross reaction to Legionella pneumophila antigen in sera with elevated titers to Pseudomonas pseudomallei

Abstract

A significantly greater incidence (P <0.005) of Legionella pneumophila microagglutination titers of ≥32 was found in sera with elevated titers to Pseudomonas pseudomallei as compared with sera with negative titers for P. pseudomallei antibodies. The greater incidence of L. pneumophila titers in these sera suggests that L. pneumophila and P. pseudomallei share an antigen. The incidence of L. pneumophila microagglutination titers of ≥32 in sera with elevated titers of Brucella abortus or Francisella tularensis is not statistically significant.