Abstract
Summary
1. Sera from newborn infants were examined by gel diffusion against whole culture concentrate of type 3, Group A beta hemolytic streptococcus. One to 3 bands of precipitation were obtained with average of 2.2 bands/individual. In the first 3 to 4 months of life the average number of bands/individual diminished sharply to almost complete absence. From 4 to 11 months of age the average number of bands/individual was 0.13. On twelfth month the average number/infant rose to 0.6, and in adults an average of 2.45 was obtained. These results are interpreted on the basis of transplacental transfer of antibodies which are short-lived and reappear with subsequent streptococcal infection later in life. 2. Sera from 331 apparently normal adults were studied by the gel diffusion method and simultaneously assayed for antistreptolysin O. A close correlation was found between number of bands and ASO titers, not apparent when individual cases were compared. With each increase in number of bands there was a corresponding increase in ASO titer.
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