Abstract
A novel radioimmunoassay of type-specific M antigens on whole group A streptococcal cells is described. Absorbed rabbit anti-M antisera directed against M types 12 and 49 were used for determining M antigens on intact bacterial organisms. Staphylococcal protein A labelled with125I was used as an anti-antibody reagent. The absorbed antisera were tested against ten homologous and 48 heterologous serotypes. All homologous serotypes gave an unequivocal reaction distinct from the weaker reaction with the heterologous serotypes. The type-specificity of the reaction was confirmed by the removal of type-specific antibodies after absorption to purified M protein coupled to Sepharose 4B. The results indicate that the described method is a simple and reliable technique for the recognition of M types of group A streptococci and offers a valuable tool for studies of M antigen in situ.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Fox, E. N.: M proteins of group A streptococci. Bacteriological Reviews 1974, 38: 57–86.
Swift, H. F., Wilson, A. T., Lancefield, R. C.: Typing group A hemolytic streptococci by M precipitin reactions in capillary pipettes. Journal of Experimental Medicine 1943, 78: 127–133.
Michael, J. G., Massel, B. F.: Use of unabsorbed antisera in gel diffusion for grouping and typing of hemolytic streptococci. Journal of Laboratory Clinical Medicine 1965, 65: 322–328.
Fox, E. N.: Measurement of streptococcal antigen synthesis with fluorescent antibody. Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology 1962, 109: 577–579.
Kühnemund, O., Havlicek, J., Knöll, H., Sjöquist, J.: M antigens of group A streptococci isolated by means of immunochromatography. Biochemical and serological properties. Immunobiology 1981, 159: 244–255.
Cuatrecasas, P.: Protein purification by affinity chromatography. Journal of Biological Chemistry 1970, 245: 3059–3065.
Hunter, W. H., Greenwood, F. C.: Preparation of iodine-131-labelled human growth hormone of high specific activity. Nature 1962, 194: 495–496.
Rotta, J., Krause, R. M., Lancefield, R. C., Everly, W., Lackland, H.: New approaches for the laboratory recognition of M types of group A streptococci. Journal of Experimental Medicine 1971, 134: 1298–1315.
Brock, T. D.: Effect of antibiotics and inhibitors on M protein synthesis. Journal of Bacteriology 1963, 85: 527–531.
Cohen, J. O., Pine, L.: Quantitative aspects of the M protein capillary precipitin test. Applied Microbiology 1968, 16: 122–127.
Becker, C. G.: Enhancing effect of type-specific anti-streptococcal antibodies on the emergence of streptococci rich in M protein. Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology 1967, 124: 331–335.
Eliasson, I., Svensson, M.-L., Ramstorp, G., Schalén, C., Christensen, P.: Quantitation of M antigen in Lancefield extracts of group A streptococci type 12 using electroimmunoassay. Acta Pathologica Microbiologica et Immunologica Scandinavica (B) 1980, 88: 299–302.
Goding, J. W.: Use of staphylococcal protein A as an immunological reagent. Journal of Immunological Methods 1978, 20: 241–253.
Kronvall, G., Simmons, A., Myhre, E. B., Jonsson, S.: Specific absorption of human serum albumin, immunoglobulin A, and immunoglobulin G with selected strains of group A and G streptococci. Infection and Immunity 1979, 25: 1–10.
Myhre, E. B., Kronvall, G.: Heterogeneity of gram-positive cocci: description of three major types of receptors for human immunoglobulin G. Infection and Immunity 1977, 17: 475–482.
Karakawa, W. W., Borman, E. K., McFarland, C. R.: Typing of group A streptococci by immunofluorescence. I. Preparation and properties of type 1 fluoresceinlabeled antibody. Journal of Bacteriology 1964, 87: 1377–1382.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Miörner, H., Larsson, K.N. Assay of type-specific M antigens on whole group A streptococci. Eur. J, Clin. Microbiol. 3, 14–18 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02032808
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02032808