OCCURRENCE AND SPECIFICITY OF ANTIBODIES AGAINST GROUP‐SPECIFIC POLYSACCHARIDES IN BETA‐HEMOLYTIC STREPTOCOCCAL INFECTIONS

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Abstract
The possibility of detecting .beta.-hemolytic streptococcal infections by determing antibodies against the group specific polysaccharides from streptococci of groups A, A-variant, C and G was determined. The methods used were radioimmunoassay with these 4 polysaccharides and hemagglutination of group A polysaccharide sensitized erythrocytes. Significant increases in these antibodies were rare in tonsillitis patients; high concentrations of antibodies were often observed in association with severe systemic infections or rheumatic fever. Both strictly immunogen-restricted and crossreactive antibodies were demonstrated by isoelectric focusing and inhibition of antigen-binding. Although previously considered nonexistent, group specific carbohydrate antibodies of IgM class were also demonstrated.