Antigens from Actinomyces species and their value in identification.
Actinomyces have a complex antigenic structure that includes neutral cell wall carbohydrate and some polypeptide containing charged antigens. Wall carbohydrate can be prepared in a relatively pure form from cell walls or by DEAE Sephadex chromatography of acid extracts and supernatant culture fluid. Charged antigens are generally eluted in groups by batch-elution from columns. Cell wall carbohydrate can be responsible for species-specific reactions and cross-reactions, and strains may possess more than one cell wall carbohydrate determinant. The charged antigens also can be species specific, but they cause some cross-reactions, particularly those between the A israelii serotypes. Autoclave extracts of strains, tested against antiserums reacting with cell wall carbohydrate, may be valuable in routine identification of isolates.
D000190:Actinomyces / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D003429:Cross Reactions; D003470:Culture Media; D007106:Immune Sera; D007114:Immunization; D008297:Male; D011233:Precipitin Tests; D011817:Rabbits
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D002241:Carbohydrates; D003470:Culture Media; D007106:Immune Sera