Agar Double Diffusion Precipitation Reaction applied to the Study of Asterococcus mycoides

Abstract

THE agar double diffusion precipitation reaction has been found of value in this laboratory in research on the organism of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, Asterococcus mycoides. Two techniques are used, a modification of Ouehterlony's¹ method described by Mansi² and a method described by Jennings and Malone³. The reactions observed, and the interpretation of the results obtained, with the bovine pleuropneumonia organism have been essentially similar to those described by these authors. Jennings and Malone's method has the advantage that a positive reaction can be seen in 2 hr., and that more distinct separation of lines of precipitation occurs as diffusion proceeds; but larger quantities of serum and antigen are required than for the method of Mansi.