Biomaterial Database

Immunoelectron microscopic study of the location of group-specific and type-specific polysaccharide antigens on isolated walls of group B streptococci. 1980

M Wagner, and B Wagner, and V R Kubín

The ultrastructural locations of the group-specific polysaccharide and the type-specific polysaccharides Ia, Ib, II and III of group B streptococci (Streptococcus agalactiae) were studied on isolated walls by the direct immunoferritin technique. The type polysaccharides were located exclusively on the outer side of the wall on which they formed a distinct capsule. Except for strain 58/59 (type Ia) the thickness of the capsule was characteristic of each strain investigated. In all strains the type-specific ferritin labelling was confined to the outer surface of the capsule. The group-specific polysaccharide could be demonstrated on the inner surface in all strains tested. It could also be demonstrated on the outer surface in strains 59/59 (type Ib) and 8/66 (group B variant) and on most of the walls of strain 58/59 (type Ia). The failure to detect this antigen on the outer side of the walls of strains 60/59 (type II) and 13/63 (type III) and on some walls of strain 58/59 was probably due to the thickness of the type polysaccharide capsule.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
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
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
D013292	Streptococcus agalactiae	A bacterium which causes mastitis in cattle and occasionally in man.	Streptococcus Group B