Long Chain Formation by Strains of Group a Streptococci in the Presence of Homologous Antiserum: A Type-Specific Reaction

Abstract

In the course of studies of the bactericidal system for the detection of typespecific antibody to group A streptococci (1), a number of strains were found which grew in extremely long chains in the presence of homologous antiserum. This paper reports some preliminary experiments designed to gain further insight into the mechanism of this phenomenon. The results indicate that long chain growth in liquid media of the strains of streptococci studied is dependent in part upon the interaction of type specific antibody and the M protein of the cells. Materials and MetkodsCuRures.--A type 30 strain of group A streptococcus used in most of this work was obtainod from Dr. Rebecca Lancefield and is designated in her laboratory as D-24. This was originally Gri~th's strain "Qulnn." It had been passed through mice repeatedly to enhance its virulence and was received as a lyophilized culture. It grew luxuriantly and resisted phagocytosis in human blood in the absence of antibody. 0.5 ml. of a 10 "e dilution of an 18 hour broth culture was lethal for mice by the intraperitoneal route in less than 5 days. Surface colonies on blood agar were typically large, fiat, matt, with good zones of beta hemolysis after 24 hours incubation.In contrast to the D-24 Q, inn strain of type 30 streptococci, a rabbit-adapted strain of type 30, known in the literature as the "Gay" strain, was also studied.* While this strain was typable, and therefore contained M protein, it failed to grow in long chains in the presence of homologous antiserum. Fourteen additional strains of type 302 were also studied. Several stralfis of type 12 streptococci were screened for the long chain reaction. These included strains recently isolated from the throats of patients at 1%rthwestern University Clinics, Great Lakes Naval Training Center, and Children's Memorial Hospital (Chicago), as well as laboratory strains. Two type 12 strains were selected for detailed study.

Streptococcus pyogenes Ser/Thr Kinase-regulated Cell Wall Hydrolase Is a Cell Division Plane-recognizing and Chain-forming Virulence Factor

“…Although this relation is presently under investigation, the results showing unregulated cell division with multiple septa in different planes in M1⌬CdhA and restoration of these defects in M1⌬CdhA::cdhA clearly indicated that the cdhA is a cell division plane recognition protein playing a crucial role in early events of cell division and ultimately chain formation in S. pyogene. Several decades ago, the induction of long chains in GAS was attributed to the presence of type M-specific antibody (53). However, the molecular and genetic basis of bacterial chain formation in GAS that is described in this study is distinct from the trypsin-sensitive, and type-specific antibody-mediated physical associations of more than one bacterial chain (53).…”

“…Several decades ago, the induction of long chains in GAS was attributed to the presence of type M-specific antibody (53). However, the molecular and genetic basis of bacterial chain formation in GAS that is described in this study is distinct from the trypsin-sensitive, and type-specific antibody-mediated physical associations of more than one bacterial chain (53).…”

The Relative Importance of the Capsule and the M-Antigen in Determining Colony Form of Group a Streptococci

“…In one of these long chains were formed and in the other the cocci were mostly in pairs or very short chains. Bordet showed in 1897 (7) that streptococci grew in long chains in the presence of homologous antiserum, and Stollerman and Eckstedt (8) have recently related this phenomenon to the M-anti-M system. It was suspected that dissociation had occurred in the strain.…”

Recall of Type Specific Antibodies in Man by Injections of Streptococcal Cell Walls*

“…Type specific antibody titer was determined by two methods used routinely in this laboratory-the bactericidal test modified slightly from that described by Lancefield (24), and the long chain test described by Stollerman and Ekstedt (25). A positive bactericidal test depended upon opsonization of the streptococci by immune serum and their subsequent phagocytosis by the normal control blood.…”