title: Teichoic acids in pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus.
abstract: Twenty-six strains of Staphylococcus aureus obtained from patients with endocarditis were studied for the production of alpha- and/or beta-ribitol teichoic acid (TA), using highly specific anti-TA antibodies prepared in rabbits. A counterimmunoelectrophoretic assay was used. Beta-TA was the predominant residue produced by all strains; alpha-TA was found in all strains, but in smaller amounts and with much strain-to-strain variations. Antibodies in patients' sera were found against beta-TA in higher titers and for longer periods than were anti-alpha-TA antibodies. Antibodies against one or both TA residues were present in all but one of 26 patients.
mesh_terms: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000378:metabolism; D003378:Counterimmunoelectrophoresis; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013682:Teichoic Acids / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D013682:Teichoic Acids