[Isolation of group-specific polysaccharide complexes from group B streptococci by phenol-water extraction]

The group specific polysaccharide of Group B streptococci was isolated either by means of phenol-water extraction or by Lancefield extraction procedures. Two groups of rabbits were immunized with these substances to induce polyclonal antibodies. The phenol-water extract induced antisera had a significantly higher titer against B streptococci than against A-, D- and G streptococci in the agglutination reaction. The B-specific titers in rabbits immunized with phenol-water extract were significantly higher than those obtained in the rabbits immunized with Lancefield extract. In counter immunoelectrophoresis, only the antisera prepared by immunization with phenol-water extract reacted with standard antigen from group B streptococci. The serological specificity of the phenol-water extract antigen isolated from B streptococci was confirmed by counterimmunoelectrophoresis. The antigen was a heterologous fraction with a molecular mass of 8 x 10(4)-2 x 10(6) Dalton.