title: Human immunity to the meningococcus. 3. Preparation and immunochemical properties of the group A, group B, and group C meningococcal polysaccharides.
abstract: The group-specific polysaccharides of group A and group C meningococci have been isolated by a new procedure which employs the cationic detergent Cetavlon to precipitate these polysaccharides from the whole culture. The A and C polysaccharide prepared by this method are noteworthy because they are of high molecular weight. The main constituent of the A polysaccharide is N-acetyl, O-acetyl mannosamine phosphate; of the C polysaccharide N-acetyl, O-acetyl neuraminic acid. This purification procedure, when applied to cultures of group B organisms, yields a polysaccharide consisting primarily of N-acetyl neuraminic acid. A passive hemagglutination test developed to measure antibodies to the polysaccharides demonstrated the specificity of these antigens. Using a hemagglutination inhibition test, these antigens were again found to be group-specific, and this test could be used for serogrouping meningococcal isolates.
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D000941:Antigens; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D002852:Chromatography, Ion Exchange; D006385:Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests; D006386:Hemagglutination Tests; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology*; D009438:Neuraminic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D000941:Antigens; D009438:Neuraminic Acids; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; D010758:Phosphorus; D012964:Sodium; D009584:Nitrogen; D002118:Calcium