Determination of slime-producing S. epidermidis specific antibodies in human immunoglobulin preparations and blood sera by an enzyme immunoassay: correlation of antibody titers with opsonic activity and application to preterm neonates.

Slime-producing Staphylococcus epidermidis is responsible for severe infections in immunocompromised patients and, particularly, in premature infants who are transiently deficient in IgG. A sulfated polysaccharide with molecular mass of 20-kDa (20-kDa PS) has been recognized as the major polysaccharide component and antigenic determinant of S. epidermidis extracellular slime layer.