STUDIES ON B. ANTHRACIS AND B. CEREUS ANTIGENS BY MEANS OF FLUORESCENT-SEROLOGICAL AND CYTOCHEMICAL TECHNIQUES
Abstract
Study of the antigenic characteristics of noncapsulate forms of the B. anthracis vaccinal strain and sporiferous aerobes by means of immunochemical and cytochemical methods showed that antigen complexes are concentrated mainly in the surface structures of the bacterial cell - in the wall and cytoplasmatic membrane. Depending on the species and age-related characteristics of the strain, these antigens consist of a wide variety of mucopeptides and lipoproteins sensitive to lysozyme, trypsin, hyaluronidase, ribonuclease, and fat solvants. Comparison of the antigenic characteristics of the noncapsulate forms of B. anthracis and sporiferous aerobes showed that the former have antigens in common with the latter as well as specific ones. The commonness and specificity of the antigens are caused by complexes with different chemical composition, depending on the phase of growth of the microorganisms. The differences are most pronounced in the phase of logarithmic growth. The pathogenic microorganisms have a fuller set of substances determining their antigenic properties than do the nonpathogenic microorganisms. The serological methods based on determining the antigenic characteristics of B. anthracis can be safely used to detect vegetative noncapsulate B. anthracis cells only in the initial phase of logarithmic growth.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0675728
Entities
People
- E. N. Levina
- L. N. Kats
Organizations
- United States Army Biological Warfare Laboratories