Comparison between the antigenic components extracted from virulent and avirulent strains of mycobacteria

Abstract

The antigenic relationship between virulent and attenuated or avirulent human, bovine, and avian strains of mycobacteria has been studied with rabbit immunesera against fractions obtained from mechanically disintegrated bacilli. The antigenic comparison was carried out by Immunoelectrophoresis after cross-absorption of antisera. It was shown that the human virulent strain H37Rv, the bovine virulent strain Ravenel, and the avian virulent strain Sheard had at least two antigens which were not detected in the related attenuated or avirulent strains. Furthermore, these additional antigens were found to be different from strain to strain.The antigenic comparison between human, bovine, and avian strains of mycobacteria revealed that fewer antigenic differences existed between human and bovine than between human or bovine and avian strains.