A Study of Phase Variation in Coxiella Burneti Employing Hemagglutination Tests

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Abstract
Summary: Hemagglutination tests with normal and tannic acid-treated RBC exposed to ultrasonicates of Coxiella burneti have been employed in a study of the phase variation of these organisms. The results are consistent with the hypothesis, initially derived from complement fixation studies, that Phase I C. burneti contain a component(s), with the RBC-adsorption characteristics of polysaccharides, which is markedly deficient, although probably present, in purified suspensions of Phase II organisms. Rickettsiae of both phases appear to contain protein antigens reacting with anti-Phase II sera.