Antigenic affinity of meningococci and human A- and B-group erythrocytes
Deviatkina, N.P.; Demina, A.A.
Zhurnal Mikrobiologii Epidemiologii i Immunobiologii 12: 3-5
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0372-9311 PMID: 3937398 Document Number: 266006
The use of the modified method of isohemagglutinin adsorption by microbial antigens in experiments with the causative agent of meningococcal infection has led, for the first time, to the detection of meningococcal antigens affined to the antigens of human erythrocytes, groups A and B. The antigenic affinity of group A erythrocytes and meningococci has proved to be more pronounced in meningococcal strains isolated from the spinal fluid of patients than in cultures obtained from the nasopharynx of healthy persons. The detection of the affinity of these antigens makes it possible to explain the mechanism of differences in the susceptibility of persons with different blood groups to meningococcal infection by "antigenic mimicry".