Evaluation of micro complement fixation tests for antibodies against group A streptococcal M and M-associated...

Variables involved in micro complement fixation (CF) tests for type-specific (TSM) and non-type-specific (NTSM) antibodies against preparations of streptococcal M protein were studied. Sera of rabbits immunized with purified M protein which contained high titers of anti-TSM and low titers of anti-NTSM antibodies reacted type specifically in the CF tests when relatively low concentrations of M protein were employed. In contrast to these artificially induced TSM antibody responses, the sera of rheumatic fever patients demonstrated elevated CF antibody titers (1:80 to 1:320) in the presence of both high and low concentrations of M antigen. The CF test cannot distinguish TSM and NTSM antibodies when the latter predominate. The CF test can be employed with confidence for the detection of NTSM antibodies, provided that the test sera are known to lack type-specific antibodies against the M protein used in the test.