THE PHASE ANTIGENS OF COXIELLA BURNETII

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Abstract
The phenomenon of Coxiella burnetii phase variation has been further studied. The phase 2 Nine Mile strain employed would not stimulate late-appearing, phase 1 reacting complement-fixing antibody in guinea pigs when employed either as a killed or an infecting suspension. However, this failure was not the result of a loss of component I since the antibody could be readily induced if adjuvants were employed or booster shots were given. Yolk sacs of chick embryos infected with the phase 1 strain yielded about 4 or 5 times as much rickettsial complement-fixing material as eggs infected with the phase 2 strain. The phase 1 rickettsiae appeared more hydrophilic and were more efficiently extracted from the yolk material. Immunized guinea pigs did not give a positive skin test until the time of appearance of phase 1 reacting antibody in the serum. The nomenclature of phase antigens, antibodies, and rickettsial strains is discussed briefly.