Group B streptococcus type II antisera have anti-galactan specificities.
It has been confirmed by immunochemical methods that group B streptococcal capsular polysaccharides of type II contain terminal non-reducing beta-(1-6)-D-galactosyl groups. This immunodominant structure is detected by immune antisera from rabbits. As beta-(1-6)-D-galactosyl residues are the predominant end groups of a number of plant and animal galactans, anti-type II streptococcus antisera can also be used as anti-galactans. On the other side, different anti-galactans from various origins (lectins, myeloma proteins) can be applied to identify group B streptococcal type II strains. In addition, it is shown that other group B streptococcal types can also be recognized by different lectins.
D000372:Agglutination Tests; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D002417:Cattle; D002846:Chromatography, Affinity; D003429:Cross Reactions; D005685:Galactans / Q000276:immunology*; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D007122:Immunoelectrophoresis; D037102:Lectins / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D009194:Myeloma Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D011817:Rabbits; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000276:immunology*
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D005685:Galactans; D037102:Lectins; D009194:Myeloma Proteins; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial