Location of polysaccharide on Chlamydia psittaci by silver-methenamine staining and electron microscopy. 1972

S P Dhir, and E S Boatman

Previous serological studies have indicated that the group antigen of chlamydial organisms is composed of an acidic polysaccharide and a lipid component. The present study was undertaken in an effort to locate this polysaccharide complex by use of electron microscopy and a silver-methenamine marker. The meningopneumonitis strain of Chlamydia psittaci was propagated in HeLa-M cell culture. Organisms were purified by differential centrifugation, treatment with Genetron, and by gel filtration. After fixation and embedding, sections were obtained for electron microscopy. Sections were stained for carbohydrates with silver-methenamine. A double layer of regularly spaced silver grains of uniform size was observed at the periphery of the sectioned organisms tracing the contours of the surface membrane (cell wall). This intensity of staining was observed only when sections were oxidized with periodate prior to silver-methenamine staining. Prior treatment with 1% sodium deoxycholate resulted in a significant reduction in staining. It is considered probable that the periodate-sensitive polysaccharide found at the periphery of the organisms represents, or is a component of, the group antigen of these organisms.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008709 Methenamine An anti-infective agent most commonly used in the treatment of urinary tract infections. Its anti-infective action derives from the slow release of formaldehyde by hydrolysis at acidic pH. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p173) Hexamethylenetetramine,Hexamine,Aminoform,Hexamine Silver,Methenamine Silver,Silver Methenamine,Urotropin,Methenamine, Silver,Silver, Hexamine,Silver, Methenamine
D008854 Microscopy, Electron Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen. Electron Microscopy
D010504 Periodic Acid A strong oxidizing agent. Paraperiodic Acid,Periodic Acid (HIO4),Periodic Acids,Acid, Paraperiodic,Acid, Periodic,Acids, Periodic
D011135 Polysaccharides, Bacterial Polysaccharides found in bacteria and in capsules thereof. Bacterial Polysaccharides
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
D002689 Chlamydia A genus of the family CHLAMYDIACEAE whose species cause a variety of diseases in vertebrates including humans, mice, and swine. Chlamydia species are gram-negative and produce glycogen. The type species is CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS.
D002850 Chromatography, Gel Chromatography on non-ionic gels without regard to the mechanism of solute discrimination. Chromatography, Exclusion,Chromatography, Gel Permeation,Chromatography, Molecular Sieve,Gel Filtration,Gel Filtration Chromatography,Chromatography, Size Exclusion,Exclusion Chromatography,Gel Chromatography,Gel Permeation Chromatography,Molecular Sieve Chromatography,Chromatography, Gel Filtration,Exclusion Chromatography, Size,Filtration Chromatography, Gel,Filtration, Gel,Sieve Chromatography, Molecular,Size Exclusion Chromatography
D003840 Deoxycholic Acid A bile acid formed by bacterial action from cholate. It is usually conjugated with glycine or taurine. Deoxycholic acid acts as a detergent to solubilize fats for intestinal absorption, is reabsorbed itself, and is used as a choleretic and detergent. Deoxycholate,Desoxycholic Acid,Kybella,Choleic Acid,Deoxycholic Acid, 12beta-Isomer,Deoxycholic Acid, 3beta-Isomer,Deoxycholic Acid, 5alpha-Isomer,Deoxycholic Acid, Disodium Salt,Deoxycholic Acid, Magnesium (2:1) Salt,Deoxycholic Acid, Monoammonium Salt,Deoxycholic Acid, Monopotassium Salt,Deoxycholic Acid, Monosodium Salt,Deoxycholic Acid, Sodium Salt, 12beta-Isomer,Dihydroxycholanoic Acid,Lagodeoxycholic Acid,Sodium Deoxycholate,12beta-Isomer Deoxycholic Acid,3beta-Isomer Deoxycholic Acid,5alpha-Isomer Deoxycholic Acid,Deoxycholate, Sodium,Deoxycholic Acid, 12beta Isomer,Deoxycholic Acid, 3beta Isomer,Deoxycholic Acid, 5alpha Isomer
D006367 HeLa Cells The first continuously cultured human malignant CELL LINE, derived from the cervical carcinoma of Henrietta Lacks. These cells are used for, among other things, VIRUS CULTIVATION and PRECLINICAL DRUG EVALUATION assays. Cell, HeLa,Cells, HeLa,HeLa Cell
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

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