Biomaterial Database

Antigens and surface components associated with virulence of Actinomyces viscosus. 1976

B F Hammond, and C F Steel, and K S Peindl

We have isolated a specific cell wall antigen of high molecular weight which appears to be unique to virulent strains of A viscosus and A naeslundii. The antigen is composed of two parts: a polysaccharide moiety containing 6-DOT as the major sugar and determinant of serologic specificity, and a small peptide bearing some resemblance to the peptidoglycan. Other data indicate a positive correlation between the presence of this antigen and an extrachromosomal piece of DNA having most of the properties of a bacterial plasmid. The specific function of the 6-DOT antigen in disease production is not known, but its clear association with virulent strains suggests the possibility of monitoring specific populations of oral actinomycetes.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008214	Lymphocytes	White blood cells formed in the body's lymphoid tissue. The nucleus is round or ovoid with coarse, irregularly clumped chromatin while the cytoplasm is typically pale blue with azurophilic (if any) granules. Most lymphocytes can be classified as either T or B (with subpopulations of each), or NATURAL KILLER CELLS.	Lymphoid Cells,Cell, Lymphoid,Cells, Lymphoid,Lymphocyte,Lymphoid Cell
D002473	Cell Wall	The outermost layer of a cell in most PLANTS; BACTERIA; FUNGI; and ALGAE. The cell wall is usually a rigid structure that lies external to the CELL MEMBRANE, and provides a protective barrier against physical or chemical agents.	Cell Walls,Wall, Cell,Walls, Cell
D003837	Deoxy Sugars	Sugars that in which one or more hydroxyl groups of the pyranose or furanose ring is substituted by hydrogen.	Deoxy Sugar,Sugar, Deoxy,Sugars, Deoxy
D004269	DNA, Bacterial	Deoxyribonucleic acid that makes up the genetic material of bacteria.	Bacterial DNA
D006601	Hexoses	MONOSACCHARIDES whose molecules contain six carbon atoms, such as GLUCOSE and FRUCTOSE. They generally have the chemical formula C6H12O6.	Hexose
D000190	Actinomyces	A genus of gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria whose organisms are nonmotile. Filaments that may be present in certain species are either straight or wavy and may have swollen or clubbed heads.
D000942	Antigens, Bacterial	Substances elaborated by bacteria that have antigenic activity.	Bacterial Antigen,Bacterial Antigens,Antigen, Bacterial
D012703	Serotyping	Process of determining and distinguishing species of bacteria or viruses based on antigens they share.	Serotypings
D014774	Virulence	The degree of pathogenicity within a group or species of microorganisms or viruses as indicated by case fatality rates and/or the ability of the organism to invade the tissues of the host. The pathogenic capacity of an organism is determined by its VIRULENCE FACTORS.	Pathogenicity