Somatic antigens of Streptococcus group E. II. Separation and a partial physicochemical characterization

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Immunochemistry

Background:

• Streptococcus group E (SGE) possesses distinct group and type antigens.
• Differentiating SGE serotypes is crucial for accurate identification and epidemiological studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To separate and purify type and group antigens of Streptococcus group E (SGE).
• To develop non-serological methods for detecting SGE type antigen.

Main Methods:

• Fractional ethanol precipitation, preparative electrophoresis, and gel filtration were employed for antigen separation.
• Paper chromatography and infrared spectrophotometry were utilized to analyze antigen composition.
• Analysis of SGE serotypes I, II, III, IV, V, and untypable isolates.

Main Results:

• Gel filtration successfully isolated serologically pure type antigen from SGE.
• Paper chromatography and infrared spectrophotometry indicated the presence of specific carbohydrates (l-rhamnose, d-glucose, d-galactose) in type antigens of serotypes I-V.
• Untypable isolates lacked the characteristic carbohydrate components of type antigens.

Conclusions:

• Gel filtration is an effective method for purifying SGE type antigen.
• Non-serological techniques show promise for identifying SGE type antigen based on carbohydrate composition.
• Serotypes I-V possess a distinct type antigen, while untypable isolates do not.