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A STUDY OF HEMOLYTIC STREPTOCOCCI IN ACUTE RHEUMATIC FEVER, WITH AN ANALYSIS OF THE ANTIGENIC RELATIONSHIPS EXISTING

C H Andrewes1, C L Derick, H F Swift

  • 1Hospital of The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research.

The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Serological analysis revealed no relationship among hemolytic streptococci strains from acute rheumatic fever patients. Some strains showed cross-reactivity in agglutination tests but lacked reciprocal absorption, suggesting complex antigenic structures in these bacteria.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Rheumatic Diseases

Background:

  • Hemolytic streptococci are implicated in acute rheumatic fever.
  • Serological typing is crucial for understanding bacterial relationships and pathogenesis.
  • Previous typing methods may not fully capture the antigenic diversity of streptococcal strains.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the serological relationships among hemolytic streptococci strains isolated from acute rheumatic fever patients.
  • To evaluate the consistency of serological tests, including agglutination and agglutinin absorption.
  • To compare newly isolated strains with established type strains.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and culturing of hemolytic streptococci from patient samples.
  • Serological testing using agglutination and reciprocal agglutinin absorption assays.
  • Comparison of isolated strains against reference strains (Dochez, Avery, Lancefield, and Gordon).

Main Results:

  • Thirteen hemolytic streptococci strains from acute rheumatic fever patients showed no serological relatedness.
  • Some strains, identical by agglutination, lacked complete reciprocal agglutinin absorption.
  • Sera from related strains demonstrated partial protective effects in mouse models.
  • None of the 20 strains isolated in NYC (1924-1925) matched existing type strains.

Conclusions:

  • Hemolytic streptococci strains from acute rheumatic fever patients exhibit significant serological diversity.
  • Agglutination and absorption tests reveal complexities in streptococcal antigenicity.
  • Established typing schemes may not encompass all relevant streptococcal strains causing rheumatic fever.

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