Abstract
Clostridial infections have been associated with neonatal NEC. Neuraminidase, produced by Cl. perfringens and other clostridial species, cleaves neuraminic acid from the red blood cell glycoprotein and thus exposes a hidden receptor, the so-called Thomsen cryptantigen (T-Ag). Clostridial infection in NEC can thus be recognised by demonstration of the T-Ag on the patient's red blood cells. Among 22 cases with clinical signs of NEC 7 revealed T-antigen-positive erythrocytes. In one of those circulating neuraminidase was detectable for a short period. In 2 cases clostridial species were isolated from blood or peritoneal fluid cultures. The filtrates of these cultures were able to expose the T-Ag on normal red blood cells. Commercially available purified neuraminidase from Cl. perfringens unmasked the T-Ag on normal neutrophils and impaired function as measured by their killing of staphylococcus aureus. Our data indicate that screening of patients with NEC for the presence of T-Ag allows to delineate a subgroup of patients infected with neuraminidase-producing microorganisms. They also suggest that in this subgroups non-specific defense may be impaired.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Seger, R., Joller, P., Wuest, J. et al. Unmasking of the Thomsen-cryptantigen in necrotising enterocolitis (NEC): Bacteriological and immunological findings: 17. Pediatr Res 14, 169 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198002000-00044
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198002000-00044