Distribution and serological specificity of sialidase produced by various groups of streptococci.
The occurrence of a streptococcal sialidase (designated St-sialidase) in culture fluids of various streptococci was investigated. St-sialidase was found to occur in strains belonging to groups A, B, C, E, G, H, and L, and the unclassified strains, Streptococcus sanguis and Streptococcus uberis. St-sialidase of group A was confined predominantly to types 4 and 22. St-sialidases, extracted from the culture fluids of some selected strains, were antigenic, eliciting the formation of antibody which effectively neutralized the enzymatic activity of the enzyme. Antisera to the St-sialidases of groups A, B, C, E, G, and L, and Streptococcus sanguis were produced in rabbits. The St-sialidases of groups A, B, and E streptococci were serologically distinct and group-specific. The St-sialidases from groups C, G, and L were serologically homologous, but distinct from St-sialidases of the other groups. Antiserum to the enzyme of strain 10557 (S. sanguis) cross-reacted with the St-sialidase of strain 9927 (S. uberis).
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D007106:Immune Sera; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D011817:Rabbits; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology
D000941:Antigens; D007106:Immune Sera; D009439:Neuraminidase