title: The presence of a group A variant-like antigen in streptococci of other groups with special reference to group N.
abstract: A Group A variant-like antigen has been detected in streptococci belonging to Groups D, E, G, M, and N. In Groups D and N the variant-like antigen was located in the streptococcal cell walls. In two strains of Group N streptococci (C559 and B209) the cell walls were chemically different and serologically distinct. In strain C559 N-acetylgalactosamine, and in strain B209, N-acetylglucosamine were the major determinants of serological specificity. The cell walls of strain C559 contained at least three serologically reactive components: a rhamnose-containing fraction that precipitated with an antiserum to Group A-variant carbohydrate; a strain-specific polysaccharide composed of galactosamine and glucosamine, both in the N-acetylated form and probably polymerized with an unidentified phosphorylated substance; and a component of unknown composition serologically related to a Group D streptococcus strain C3 (S. durans). An analogy is drawn between the cell wall structure in streptococcus and Salmonella.
mesh_terms: D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000276:immunology; D002852:Chromatography, Ion Exchange; D003429:Cross Reactions; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007122:Immunoelectrophoresis; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D012210:Rhamnose / Q000032:analysis; D012475:Salmonella / Q000276:immunology; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000145:classification / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; D012210:Rhamnose