The Analysis of Streptococcal Infections

Abstract

It has been found by immunoelectrophoresis, that Group A streptococci release at least 20 distinct extracellular antigens in human tissues, as judged by naturally occurring antibodies present in normal pooled human gamma globulin. Several of these precipitin arcs have been identified with streptococcal antigens previously purified by electrophoresis and chromatography. Human gamma globulin, as well as several rheumatic fever sera, were shown to be remarkably potent in antistreptococcal antibodies, when compared to four horse antibody concentrates obtained by hyperimmunization with several streptococcal filtrates. A Group C streptococcal culture concentrate revealed 8 or 9 antigens for which corresponding antibodies were present in human gamma globulin.

Postgenomic Analysis of Four Novel Antigens of Group A Streptococcus : Growth Phase-Dependent Gene Transcription and Human Serologic Response

“…For more than 40 years, it has been known that patients with GAS infections produce antibodies to a large number of extracellular proteins (16)(17)(18)(19)(20)24), but most of these antigens have not been identified. Availability of genome sequences has permitted virulence factors and therapeutic agent candidates to be identified very rapidly by comparative genomics and other postgenomic methods (2,3,14,21,24,32,35,37).…”

An Analysis of the Toxic Actions of Purified Streptolysin O on the Isolated Heart and Separate Cardiac Tissues of the Guinea Pig

“…~ These preparations were made according to methods previously described (8)(9)(10)(11)(12) and had been used in other studies (4)(5)(6). The Group A toxin consisted entirely of protein and had a titer of 160,000 hemolytic units (HU) per milligram of dry weight; the Group C material, which was 67% protein, had a tlter of 40,000 HU/mg.…”

Naturally Occurring Human Antibodies to Streptococcal Enzymes*

“…The latter all showed "reactions of identity" with each other. However, when proteinase assays were carried out, it was found that the first peak ( I and 11) was primarily proteinase precursor (1,580 total units/mg., 6 percent in the active state) while the second peak (111) was largely active proteinase (1,580 total units, SO-100 percent in the active state). In spite of this fact, no spurs were noted here, and in other similar instances, between these two precipitin bands.…”

“…An immunoelectrophoretic test of crude culture supernate concentrates of group A streptococcal growth against human gamma globulin revealed at least 20 extracellular products which must have been secreted in vivo. 6 An example of these findings is shown in FIGURE 1, a1 and a2, in which two different culture concentrates from the C203S group A streptococcal strain and a group C streptococcal concentrate were separated electrophoretically, and then exposed to the antibodies in pooled human gamma globulin. In FIGURE l b is shown a diagrammatic representation of the results obtained with the crude streptococcal concentrate which was used as a reference standard system.…”