Immunochemical Studies of Staphylococcus aureus Oeding-Haukenes Antigen a5: a Phosphorus-containing Polysaccharide

Abstract

Antigen a5 was isolated from strain 830 of Staphylococcus aureus by autolysis in phosphate buffer followed by alcohol precipitation. Purification was principally achieved by affinity chromatography on wheat germ agglutinin ultrogel and on anti-S. aureus teichoic acid immunosorbent. The as antigen was weakly immunogenic in rabbits. Chemical analysis showed that a5 is a teichoic acid composed of ribitol phosphate, N-acetylglucosamine and alanine. It has similar physico-chemical properties to the wall B-N-acetylglucosamine ri bitol teichoic acid of S. aureus but is serologically distinct.