Antigenic Properties of the Hexosamine Polymer of Streptococcal Mucopeptide

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Abstract
Summary: Streptococcal mucopeptide, solubilized by ultrasonic treatment, gives a precipitin reaction with streptococcal group A-variant antisera. Although treatment of the mucopeptide with an N-acetyl-muramyl-l-alanine amidase, derived from a broth culture of S. albus, removes approximately 50% of the peptide, the residual material retains serologic activity when tested with selected antisera. This suggests that the hexosamine polymer of mucopeptide is also antigenic. Inhibition of the precipitin reaction by a hexosamine-rich dialyzable fraction derived from S. albus enzymes digest of cell walls supports this view. An immunologic cross-reaction between mucopeptide and group A carbohydrate is also reported.