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CONCENTRATION OF THE PROTECTIVE BODIES IN ANTIPNEUMOCOCCUS SERUM BY MEANS OF SPECIFIC PRECIPITATION
1Hospital of The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
Summary
A precipitate formed from pneumococcus extract and antiserum retains protective antibodies. This concentrated precipitate offers protection comparable to whole serum, but with significantly lower protein content.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Pneumococcus infections pose significant health risks.
- Antiserum contains protective antibodies against bacterial pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the properties of a precipitate formed between pneumococcus extract and homologous antiserum.
- To determine if this precipitate retains protective immune bodies.
Main Methods:
- A water-clear extract of pneumococci was added to homologous antiserum.
- The resulting precipitate was isolated, washed, and resuspended in saline.
- The protective capacity of the resuspended precipitate was compared to the original serum.
Main Results:
- A voluminous precipitate formed, containing agglutinins and protective antibodies.
- The resuspended precipitate demonstrated protective efficacy similar to whole serum.
- The protein concentration in the precipitate solution was significantly reduced (0.09-0.34%) compared to the original serum (approx. 6%).
Conclusions:
- The precipitate effectively concentrates protective antibodies against pneumococcus.
- Reduced protein content in the precipitate offers a potentially more efficient therapeutic agent.
- Alkaline dissolution of the precipitate may inactivate immune bodies.
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