[Participation of species specific and group specific ornithosis antigens in immune reactions]

The immunogenic properties of the species-specific antigen localized in the elementary particle membrane and group-specific or inner antigen of the causative agent of ornithosis were studied. The species specific antigen was shown to induce the antibody neutralizing the infectious properties of the agent as well as those agglutinating elementary bodies, inhibiting hemagglutination, and complement-fixing antibody detectable in the direct and indirect complement-fixation tests. The results indicate that the antigens most clearly defining the species-specific properties of the causative agent of ornithosis are localized in the elementary particle membrane. These antigens may be used for differential diagnosis studies employing not only CFT but also other antibody tests.