
Antigens are substances capable of triggering an immune response in a host, by activating lymphocytes or initiating antibody production against the infection. Depending upon whether they enter the human body from outside or originate within the body, these bacterial antigens are classified as foreign or self-antigens, respectively. Among these, self-antigens comprise mutated or overexpressed proteins. However, foreign antigens may include bacteria, parasites, viruses, chemicals and sometimes toxins and proteins found in food products. The epitope or antigenic determinant portion of a bacterial antigen is recognized by antigen specific receptors located on T and B cells. These highly immunogenic antigenic determinants elicit strong immune response and thus, are used to generate antibodies for clinical research purposes. Bacterial antigens in bacterial antigens market are majorly found in distinct formats, such as purified, inactivated pathogens, ascites and antigen carrier conjugates.