Serological studies on group- and species-specific antigens of trachoma and inclusion conjunctivitis (TRIC) agents

Abstract

Group-reactive ether soluble psittacosis and boiled mouse pneumonitis antigens were tested in parallel, with 85 serum specimens. The results indicate that the group-specific C.F. antigens of these organisms are indistinguishable when tested against sera of trachoma patients, monkeys infected with trachoma or against sera of other individuals.Sera of rabbits immunized with viable trachoma-inclusion conjunctivitis (TRIC) organisms, grown in tissue culture, were absorbed with boiled elementary body suspension of mouse pneumonitis agent, which removed the group reactive antibodies, and resulted in a species-specific anti-TRIC serum.The absorbed and unabsorbed TRIC sera were titrated against purified E.B. suspensions, which were prepared both from yolk and from tissue culture grown organisms, of homologous TRIC strains and from other heterologous Bedsonia organisms.Results of absorption experiments indicate that group reactive antigens prepared from mouse pneumonitis and psittacosis are indistinguishable by C.F. test from the group-specific component of the TRIC antigens. The species-specific antigen of the TRIC agents was well distinguished from the species-specific antigen of the psittacosis agent. However, the C.F. test did not distinguish the strains isolated from trachoma from those isolated from cases of inclusion conjunctivitis.The stabilizing effect of sucrose and albumin upon the species-specific C.F. antigen of purified elementary bodies of TRIC organisms was found to be pronounced.Our attempts to produce a species-specific antigen preparation, free from group component, failed.We have pleasure in thanking Dr F. B. Gordon for suggestions; Dr B. V. Birtašević, Mr H. R. Dressler, Dr E. S. Murray and Dr A. J. Vargosko for procuring sera of patients or organisms grown in tissue culture; Dr T. A. Strike for the help with statistical computations; HMC P. R. Hill, HM3 C.O. Wiese and Mr B. L. Ward for invaluable technical assistance.