Streptococcal Related Glomerulonephritis

Abstract

Summary Soluble fractions obtained from pooled human glomeruli and the cell membrane of nephritogenic streptococci were shown to be immunologically cross-reactive. One of the components present in the glomerular extract was shown to be unrelated to the streptococcal cross-reactive material but related to a component present on all human red cells tested. Chemical and physical analysis of soluble fractions obtained from isolated human glomeruli and streptococcal cell membranes indicated that they are low molecular weight glycoproteins. The glomerular extract has approximately 78.9% protein and 13 to 15% carbohydrate whereas the streptococcal extract has 80% protein and 7% carbohydrate. The glomerular fraction contains 1.5 to 2% sialic acid but no appreciable phosphorous whereas the streptococcal fraction has no sialic acid but 3.7% phosphorous.