Biomaterial Database

Serogrouping of Neisseria gonorrhoeae: identification of four immunologically distinct acidic polysaccharides. 1976

M A Apicella

A series of population-specific acidic polysaccharides have been described that can be used as a basis for serogrouping of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. These polysaccharides have been designated Gc antigens, and four immunologically distinct types have been identified. With these purified serogroup antigens and appropriately absorbed antisera in hemagglutination-inhibition systems, four typing systems have been established. Their sensitivities for purified homologous antigens range from 16 to 1 mug/ml. Purified heterologus antigens fail to inhibit at concentrations of 1,000 mug/ml. Clinically isolated N. gonorrhoeae are incorporated into these systems by conversion to standardized crude Gc antigen extracts by alkaline hhydrolysis. Of the 163 strains studied, 83% could be typed; 85% of these were typed for only one serogroup. Twenty strains were typed for two serogroups, and reisolation studies demonstrated that these strains were mosaics rather than mixed cultures. Four strains from each serogroup were selected, and antisera and purified serogroup antigens were produced from them. These were identical with their respective standard serogroup antigen and antisera in hemagglutination-inhibition and immunodiffusion systems.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007106	Immune Sera	Serum that contains antibodies. It is obtained from an animal that has been immunized either by ANTIGEN injection or infection with microorganisms containing the antigen.	Antisera,Immune Serums,Sera, Immune,Serums, Immune
D009344	Neisseria gonorrhoeae	A species of gram-negative, aerobic bacteria primarily found in purulent venereal discharges. It is the causative agent of GONORRHEA.	Diplococcus gonorrhoeae,Gonococcus,Gonococcus neisseri,Merismopedia gonorrhoeae,Micrococcus der gonorrhoe,Micrococcus gonococcus,Micrococcus gonorrhoeae
D011135	Polysaccharides, Bacterial	Polysaccharides found in bacteria and in capsules thereof.	Bacterial Polysaccharides
D005779	Immunodiffusion	Technique involving the diffusion of antigen or antibody through a semisolid medium, usually agar or agarose gel, with the result being a precipitin reaction.	Gel Diffusion Tests,Diffusion Test, Gel,Diffusion Tests, Gel,Gel Diffusion Test,Immunodiffusions,Test, Gel Diffusion,Tests, Gel Diffusion
D006385	Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests	Serologic tests in which a known quantity of antigen is added to the serum prior to the addition of a red cell suspension. Reaction result is expressed as the smallest amount of antigen which causes complete inhibition of hemagglutination.	Hemagglutination Inhibition Test,Inhibition Test, Hemagglutination,Inhibition Tests, Hemagglutination,Test, Hemagglutination Inhibition,Tests, Hemagglutination Inhibition
D000918	Antibody Specificity	The property of antibodies which enables them to react with some ANTIGENIC DETERMINANTS and not with others. Specificity is dependent on chemical composition, physical forces, and molecular structure at the binding site.	Antibody Specificities,Specificities, Antibody,Specificity, Antibody
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
D013045	Species Specificity	The restriction of a characteristic behavior, anatomical structure or physical system, such as immune response; metabolic response, or gene or gene variant to the members of one species. It refers to that property which differentiates one species from another but it is also used for phylogenetic levels higher or lower than the species.	Species Specificities,Specificities, Species,Specificity, Species