A polypeptide antigen from a strain of Staphylococcus simulans. 2. Antigenic and biological properties

A purified polypeptide antigen from Staphylococcus simulans CCM 2705 produced one precipitation line by double diffusion in agar with rabbit antiserum against homologous whole bacteria. The purified antigen did not induce antibody production in rabbits. However, when the antigen was complexed with methylated bovine serum albumin, antibodies with specificity against the polypeptide were produced. The antigen did not sensitize normal or tanned erythrocytes for agglutination in antiserum. The polypeptide antigen induced a primary skin reaction and was toxic for mice. It also induced production of MIF as demonstrated by the migration inhibition test. The polypeptide was found to be a leukotaxigen. No difference between C4 normal and C4 deficient serum was noted. C5 was found to be necessary for the induction of chemotaxis.