title: Improved streptococcal grouping antisera containing polyethylene glycol.
abstract: Antisera to streptococcal groups A through G containing 4% polyethylene glycol 6000 were prepared and evaluated. Seventy strains of homologous and heterologous beta- and non-beta-hemolytic streptococci were included in the evaluation. Homologous reactions were determined against extracts prepared by four extraction methods: hot hydrochloric acid (Lancefield) extraction, autoclave extraction, hot formamide extraction, and nitrous acid extraction. Enhancement of the precipitin reaction in the presence of polyethylene glycol 6000 permitted a fourfold dilution of all antisera for use in the capillary precipitin test. At this dilution, the potency of the antisera exceeded requirements established for these reagents.
mesh_terms: D003429:Cross Reactions; D007106:Immune Sera; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011233:Precipitin Tests; D012703:Serotyping / Q000379:methods*; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000145:classification; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000145:classification
chemical_list: D007106:Immune Sera; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols