Studies on the nature of the type specific antigen of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
Kucsera, G.
Acta Veterinaria Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 27(4): 375-380
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-7205 PMID: 94508 Document Number: 140770
The type-specific antigen of E. rhusiopathiae strains is a haptene-like polysaccharide associated with the cell membrane. Investigations into the serological behavior of certain E. rhusiopathiae strains revealed that while autoclaved antigen extracts of these failed to react with the homologous antiserum in the double agar-gel diffusion precipitation test, the specific antiserum itself did react with antigens prepared from homologous strains. Absorption of the antisera with the inactive-appearing homologous antigen was followed by loss of the formers activity against other strains of the homologous type. These observations strongly suggest that the type-specific antigens of certain E. rhusiopathiae strains are haptide- rather than haptene-like in nature; a circumstance which deserves special attention at serological typing.