Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Capsular Serotyping of Streptococcus pneumoniae by Latex Agglutination
09:11

Capsular Serotyping of Streptococcus pneumoniae by Latex Agglutination

Published on: September 25, 2014

STUDIES ON THE ANTIGENIC COMPOSITION OF GROUP A HEMOLYTIC STREPTOCOCCI : IV. RELATED T BUT DISTINCT M ANTIGENS IN

W A Stewart1, R C Lancefield, A T Wilson

  • 1Hospital of The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research.

The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Closely related T antigens cause cross-reactions in bacterial types 15-30 and 4-46. M variants possess type-specific M antigens, and some strains lack expected T antigens, aiding classification.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Bacteriology

Background:

  • Bacterial serotyping is crucial for identifying and differentiating strains.
  • Cross-reactions between bacterial types can complicate accurate identification.
  • Understanding antigenicity is key to developing effective diagnostic tools.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the antigenic relationships among specific bacterial types.
  • To identify the T and M antigens responsible for observed cross-reactions.
  • To develop improved methods for bacterial classification.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of T antigen relatedness within two distinct bacterial series.
  • Examination of M antigen expression in M variants of eleven bacterial types.
  • Identification of strains lacking typical T antigens.

Main Results:

  • Closely related T antigens in types 15, 17, 19, 23, 30 and types 4, 24, 26, 28, 29, 46 explain most cross-reactions.
  • Type-specific M antigens were demonstrated in M variants of all eleven types studied.
  • Strains lacking expected T antigens were identified in seven of the eleven types.

Conclusions:

  • T antigen relatedness is a primary driver of cross-reactions in these bacterial groups.
  • M antigens provide type-specific identification markers.
  • The identification of antigen variants supports refined classification and diagnostic strategies.

More Related Videos

Capsular Serotyping of Streptococcus pneumoniae Using the Quellung Reaction04:25

Capsular Serotyping of Streptococcus pneumoniae Using the Quellung Reaction

Published on: February 24, 2014

Use of an Influenza Antigen Microarray to Measure the Breadth of Serum Antibodies Across Virus Subtypes08:52

Use of an Influenza Antigen Microarray to Measure the Breadth of Serum Antibodies Across Virus Subtypes

Published on: July 26, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Blood Typing01:10

Blood Typing

Understanding an individual's blood group is a critical component of transfusion medicine. It ensures compatibility in blood transfusions, organ transplants, and even during pregnancy. Determining these blood groups involves the ABO and Rh blood typing systems, utilizing specific antigens and corresponding anti-sera to identify an individual's blood type.
Antigens are protein molecules that reside on the surface of red blood cells (RBCs). The ABO and Rh blood typing systems target antigens A,...
Blood Types02:20

Blood Types

Human blood is classified into different types based on the presence of antigens on the red blood cell's surface and antibodies in the plasma. Proper identification of blood type is essential for successful blood transfusion. The International Society of Blood Transfusion has identified 38 human blood types based on the surface antigens on the red blood cells. The most common types are ABO, Rh, and MNS blood types.
ABO blood group
ABO antigens are glycoproteins encoded by genes present on...
The ABO Blood Group01:12

The ABO Blood Group

The ABO blood group system is a critical element of transfusion medicine, essential for determining blood compatibility in transfusions and organ transplants. It is based on specific antigens, or agglutinogens, present on the surface of red blood cells (RBCs) and corresponding antibodies, or agglutinins, in the blood plasma.
Antigens in the ABO Blood Group System
Antigens are substances that can trigger an immune response, leading to the production of antibodies. In the ABO blood group system,...
Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity01:26

Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity

An antigen is any substance the immune system identifies as foreign and potentially harmful to the body, prompting an immune response. Antigens have two functional properties: immunogenicity and reactivity. Immunogenicity is the ability of an antigen to stimulate a specific immune response. At the same time, reactivity describes the antigen's ability to react with the cells and antibodies produced in response to it.
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.
Special Staining Techniques01:13

Special Staining Techniques

Specialized staining techniques play a vital role in microbiology by enabling the visualization of specific bacterial structures that remain undetectable with standard microscopy methods. These techniques not only enhance the structural visualization of bacterial cells but also provide critical insights into their pathogenicity and classification. Additionally, they support diagnostic and research endeavors in microbiology by identifying key bacterial features.Capsule Staining for Virulence...
Blood Transfusion and Agglutination02:45

Blood Transfusion and Agglutination

Blood transfusion is a therapeutic measure to restore the blood volume after extensive blood loss due to an accident or a medical procedure. Blood transfusion involves drawing a certain amount of blood from a suitable donor and infusing it into the recipient.
History
The history of blood transfusion dates back to the 17th century, when early attempts were made in animals. In 1818 James Blundell, a British doctor, performed the first successful human blood transfusion. Later in 1900, Karl...