Studies on the Flexner Group of Dysentery Bacilli

Abstract

Microorganisms belonging to the group Shigella paradysenteriae (Flexner) are of considerable importance from an epidemiological point of view, and hence we have undertaken a study of their specific antigens. In this and subsequent reports the isolation and properties of the antigens of several types of Flexner dysentery bacilli are given together with an account of their immunological characteristics.The isolation of cell-free antigenic constituents from Gram-negative microorganisms has been reported by a number of investigators; most notable among these are Boivin (1) and his collaborators who have studied the specific antigens of Salmonella typhiraurium, Salmonella enteritidis, Eberthella typhosa, Escherichia coli, etc., and Topley (2) who has described the specific H and O antigens obtained from enzymatic breakdown products of E. typhosa. Perhaps the most comprehensive study regarding the nature of antigenic fractions from Gram-negative bacilli is that of Morgan and Partridge who have studied in detail the specific antigens of the Shiga (3) and typhoid (4) bacillus and have investigated their chemical and immunological properties.The chemical nature of antigens derived from Gram-negative bacilli is not yet fully understood. Boivin regarded these substances as belonging to a class of compounds known as lipocarbohydrates. The early investigators failed, however, to characterize a protein or protein-like constituent which was shown by later workers to form a part of the type specific antigens derived f~om the Shiga and typhoid bacillus. I t remained for Morgan and Partridge (3) to demonstrate that this protein forms an important constituent of the antigenic complex of both organisms and it has many unusual chemical and immunological properties. EXPERIMENTALCultivation of Bacteria.--The types V, W, Z, Shigella paradysenteriae (Flexner) used in this study were obtained from the U. S. Army Medical Center. The Newcastle strain was sent us by Dr. Carl TenBroeck of Princeton. The organisms were grown in a broth consisting of 50 gm. of bactotryptone, 100 cc. of blood extract (5), 400 gm. Na~HPO4.12 H20, 100 gm. KH2PO,, and 25 liters of tap water. Copious growth was obtained in 18 hours. As a rule, 50 liters of culture medium yielded 25 gin. of dry organisms. The living bacteria were col-

The Analysis of Streptococcal Infections

“…Also tested was a fraction rich in desoxyribonuclease B, an "antigen excess" fraction containing only two antigens, one possibly related to erythrogenic toxin, and a possible complex of protein and C carbohydrate. In addition, five rabbits were given lethal doses of Skigdla paradysenteriae type III endotoxin, prepared by the method of Goebel et al (33).…”

Specific lipopolysaccharides of Bordetella

“…8760 was 6-3 %, a value similar to those found for 'Smooth' 0 somatic antigens of Shigella spp. (Morgan, 1949;Goebel et al 1945;Davies et al 1954). Smaller yields of lipopolysaccharide were obtained from B. pertussis (3.4 %) and B. parapertussis (2-7 %).…”

“…However, the presence of mannose, galactose and a 'fructoselike' substance in a polysaccharide extracted with '50 % pyridine' from defatted cells of B. pertussis has been reported (Akiya, Takahashi, Kuriyama & Ogawa, 1951). Although this method of extraction is known to yield endotoxin when applied to certain other bacteria (Goebel, Binkley & Perlman, 1945), the absence of any reference to biological or serological properties in this instance leaves the precise nature of the material in doubt.…”

Colicine K

“…Colicine neutralization tests were carried out using the first of two procedures described in a recent publication (5). The method employed for ascertaining mouse toxicity was reported previously (6).…”