Abstract
Summary
It was found possible to reduce the group reactivity of the MP CF antigen by treatment with KIO4. Three kinds of results were obtained depending on the state of the original antigen. 1) The group reactivity of the crude antigen was left practically unaltered. 2) Most of this reactivity was removed by KIO4 from the purified antigen. Such preparations became inactive or only slightly active in the CF test with either homologous or heterologous antisera since the specific activity was previously destroyed by heating. 3) Antigens possessing the heat-labile specific component as well as the KIO4-sus-ceptible group-reactive “component” could be rendered fairly specific by treatment with KIO4. It appears that the group reactive “component” is not a single entity, but is made up of at least 2 antigenic constituents.
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