Abstract
Summary
The effects of periodate oxidation on cell wall polysaccharide antigens in strains of streptococci from 14 serological groups have been determined. In 11 of the 23 strains tested the serological reactivity was destroyed by 0.01 M periodate in 2 hours, while in 5 strains the serological reactions showed little or no change after periodate treatment. Three strains showed partial destruction under the conditions employed. In the cell walls of group D cells both resistant and sensitive antigens were found, whereas in group A the group antigen of all strains was resistant to periodate. The antigen of a group A strain, which no longer can synthesize specific group A carbohydrate antigen, was destroyed by the oxidation. The cell wall carbohydrate antigens of single strains examined in the remaining 9 serological groups were made up of both resistant and sensitive types.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.