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Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery
Published on: November 5, 2019
New Classification of Neisseria meningitidis by Means of Bactericidal Reactions
1Department of Bacterial Diseases, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20012.
Abstract:
A bactericidal assay is described which allows identification of distinct serotypes within a serogroup of Neisseria meningitidis. Antisera produced in rabbits against seven group C strains by two intravenous inoculations of live organisms were found to contain two types of bactericidal antibodies. One, directed against the group-specific polysaccharide, caused various degrees of killing of all strains. Absorption of this antibody by purified group C polysaccharide revealed the presence of the second bactericidal antibody. This antibody was directed against antigenically distinct factors associated with serotype specificity. Extensive cross-absorption yielded antisera with activity directed against four separate factors. The presence of a factor in a strain was indicated by its susceptibility to killing by antisera containing antibody to that factor. A serotype was defined by the particular combination of factors. Six different serotypes, containing one or two factors, were identified among 16 group C strains examined.
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