Naturally-Occurring Antibodies to Bacillary Teichoic Acids

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Abstract
Extracts from two Bacillus species were purified and characterized chemically as glycerol teichoic acids. Although neither alanine nor other amino acids were present, the purified substances adsorbed spontaneously to erythrocytes, as demonstrated by passive hemagglutination with antisera to bacilli and to the purified substance. The antibodies reacting in passive hemagglutination and precipitation tests were the same and the specificity was directed toward polyglycerophosphate. Purified antigens from the two Bacillus species exhibited a single band of identity in immunodiffusion tests. Antibodies to this glycerol teichoic acid occur regularly in several animal species, including man. They were not found in albino mice. In humans and guinea pigs, these antibodies were observed in both IgM and IgG Sephadex fractions but in rabbits they were usually found only in the IgM fraction.

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