Type-specific polysaccharide antigens of group B streptococci

Abstract

Rabbits immunized with whole streptococci of group B, type II, produce two immunologically distinct type-specific antibodies which are essentially equal by weight in protecting mice against infection with homologous type strains.The capsular antigen with which these antibodies react is a polysaccharide containing galactose, glucose, glucosamine, and a labile component which has not been chemically identified. Extraction of the bacteria with TCA yields this ‘complete’ antigen, whereas extraction with HCl yields a partial antigen without the labile component. This degraded antigen can also be derived from the TCA antigen by treating the latter with hot HCl, and is indistinguishable from that extracted directly from the bacteria with HCl.One of the antibodies produced, the TCA antibody, is directed against the labile component of the polysaccharide. The other, the HCl antibody, is directed against a β-d-galactoside determinant; and the precipitin reaction with this antibody is not masked in the ‘complete’ TCA antigen by the presence of the labile component.The group-specific polysaccharide, which is located in the cell-wall, is also extracted with either TCA or HCl but can be eliminated from the preparations by fractional precipitation with ethanol. Although it is known that the type-specific polysaccharide is located in the streptococcal capsule, it is not at present clear in what form this substance occurs in the living streptococcal cell. It may be present partially as the degraded HCl form, or possibly wholly as the intact TCA form. Further immunological and chemical studies of these type-specific polysaccharides are in progress, and will be presented in another communication.