Rapid test for the serological separation of staphylococci from micrococci.
A simple test for the serological separation of staphylococci from micrococci is described, which is based on the quite different cell wall peptidoglycan structures of these two genera. Antisera to (pentaglycyl-epsilon-amino-n-hexanoic acid)20-albumin agglutinated without exception all staphylococci and gave no positive reaction with micrococci or other bacterial cells. To obtain a good reaction, it was necessary to extract the cells with hot trichloroacetic acid for 30 min. Antisera to (tri-L-alanyl-epsilon-amino-n-hexanoic acid)22-albumin reacted strongly with micrococci containing oligo-L-alanine bridges in their peptidoglycan, but did not agglutinate staphylococci or other bacteria lacking alanine interpeptide bridges.
D002473:Cell Wall / Q000276:immunology; D007841:Latex Fixation Tests / Q000379:methods; D008837:Micrococcus / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology; D010457:Peptidoglycan / Q000276:immunology; D013045:Species Specificity; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology
D010457:Peptidoglycan