Protein antigens of Staphylococcus epidermidis grown under iron-restricted conditions in human peritoneal dialysate

Comparison of the whole cell protein profiles of Staphylococcus epidermidis grown in pooled human peritoneal dialysate (HPD) with those of cells grown in nutrient broth (NB) revealed proteins of 27, 39, 45, 54 and 98 kDa which were absent or poorly expressed in NB-grown cells. IgG, but not transferrin, was detected bound to the surface of bacteria grown in HPD. Immunoblotting experiments revealed that IgG antibodies present in pooled HPD recognised staphylococcal protein antigens of 16, 27, 35, 39, 45, 54 and 98 kDa. The 16-, 35- and 39-kDa antigens which were associated with the cytoplasmic membrane were repressed following growth in NB or in HPD supplemented with excess iron.