Antigenicity of Mycoplasma mycoides n.-Further Studies on the Precipitating Antigens in the Body Fluids from Cases of Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia

Abstract

Absorption of antiserum with antigens prepared from various body fluids showed that 87' 5% of the complement fixing antibody was removed from the serum by absorption with antigens prepared from serum, lymph and urine, while almost all the aggluttinating antibody was removed by absorption with lymph, 99' 4 % by absorption with serum and 95% by absorption with urine. The major precipitating antigens were apparently resistant to boiling and the action of trypsin, and were therefore not protein in mature but probably poly saccharide. The minor precipitating antigens were destroyed by boiling and all but one by the action of trypsin, and the majority therefore were probably protein. At least 6 minor precipitately antigens were demonstrated, and apparently they were associated primarily with the organisms. The major precipitating antigens were predominantly extracellular with only small amounts present in the organisms. These major antigens were also elaborated by the organisms when grown in artificial culture medium, and those produced by fully virulent organisms appeared to be identical with those produced by a virulent organisms..