scholarly journals Antibody to streptococcal opacity factor in human sera

1973 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. R. Maxted ◽  
Jean P. Widdowson ◽  
Cherry A. M. Fraser
Keyword(s):  
Sore Throat ◽  
Group A Streptococci ◽  
Close Correspondence ◽  
Human Sera ◽  
Group A

SUMMARYTwo tests are described for detecting antibody to the type-specific opacity factor (OF) of group A streptococci. This antibody was detected among patients convalescent from streptococcal sore throat in two communities in which out-breaks due to opacity factor-producing strains of group A streptococci occurred.In an outbreak due to streptococci of M-type 22 there was a close correspondence between the distribution of anti-OF and of bactericidal M-antibody for the type. In a smaller outbreak due to M-type 58 streptococci, however, M-antibody was detected more often than antibody of OF.

scholarly journals Streptococcal pharyngitis in general practice. 1. Some unusual features of the epidemiology

1992 ◽  
Vol 109 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. M. Higgins
Keyword(s):  
Sore Throat ◽  
Age Distribution ◽  
Positive Culture ◽  
Streptococcal Pharyngitis ◽  
Group A Streptococci ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Acute Infections ◽  
Group A ◽  
Upper Respiratory ◽  
Highly Correlated

SUMMARYThis report is based on a study of acute infections of the upper respiratory tract in 1965 and detailed records of such infections in 1963 and 1964. A change from illnesses mainly yielding viruses to illnesses mainly yielding group A streptococci was noted around the age of 5 years. A positive culture for group A streptococci in patients over 4 years of age was highly correlated with a complaint of sore throat and with serological evidence of streptococcal infection. A bimodal age distribution curve for pharyngitis associated with a positive culture for group A streptococci was consistently noted. The incidence was highest in children aged 5–9 but a second smaller peak occurred among adults in the 30–39 age group. The evidence suggests that being female increases the risk of acquiring group A streptococci and of experiencing sore throat.

scholarly journals The production of pyrogenic exotoxins by group A streptococci

1985 ◽  
Vol 95 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gillian Hallas
Keyword(s):  
Sore Throat ◽  
Isoelectric Focusing ◽  
Scarlet Fever ◽  
Group A Streptococci ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gels ◽  
Agar Gels ◽  
Group A ◽  
Sporadic Cases ◽  
Spe B ◽  
Lancefield Group

SUMMARYLancefield group A streptococci isolated from recent outbreaks and sporadic cases of scarlet fever were restricted to the following M types 1, 3, 4, 6, 12, 18, 22 and 66. These strains were examined for the presence of streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins (SPE) types A, B and C by isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gels and by immunoprecipitation in agar gels. SPE B was produced by 70% of the strains and SPEC by 40%. SPE A could not be detected in these strains. In contrast, SPE type A was found in 4 of 10 strains, held by the NCTC, that had been isolated before 1940 from patients with scarlet fever. Nine of 12 recent isolates from patients with sore throat uncomplicated by a rash produced SPE C and 4 of these also produced SPE B.

scholarly journals BACTERIOSTATIC EFFECT OF HUMAN SERA ON GROUP A STREPTOCOCCI

1945 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sidney Rothbard
Keyword(s):  
Guinea Pig ◽  
Human Serum ◽  
Human Plasma ◽  
Sodium Citrate ◽  
Ammonium Oxalate ◽  
Human Antibody ◽  
Group A Streptococci ◽  
Bacteriostatic Effect ◽  
Human Sera ◽  
Group A

1. Heparin was more satisfactory for preventing blood from clotting than defibrination, potassium and ammonium oxalate, or sodium citrate in bacteriostasis of group A streptococci in the presence of streptococcal antibodies in convalescent serum. 2. Blood from rabbit, guinea pig, or sheep could not be substituted for human blood in promoting bacteriostasis when human antibody was used. Mixtures of human leukocytes and plasma of each of these animals or of animal leukocytes and human plasma were also not effective with human antibody. 3. Complement, leukocytes, and a thermostable factor which was found in human plasma were essential in the indirect bacteriostatic technique employed for the inhibition of streptococcal growth in the presence of convalescent human serum. 4. The thermostable component was active in human serum, as well as in plasma, in 1:12 dilution, withstood storage at 4° C. for at least 7 weeks, and was destroyed by heating at 70° C. for 30 minutes.

scholarly journals BACTERIOSTATIC EFFECT OF HUMAN SERA ON GROUP A STREPTOCOCCI

1945 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sidney Rothbard
Keyword(s):  
Blood Cells ◽  
Relative Size ◽  
Group A Streptococci ◽  
Phagocytic Capacity ◽  
Antagonistic Action ◽  
Selective Saturation ◽  
Human Sera ◽  
Group A ◽  
Antigen Antibody ◽  
Do So

1. Type-specific M extracts and group-specific C carbohydrate of group A streptococci inhibited bacteriostasis of these microorganisms in the presence of normal whole blood and of sera from patients convalescent from streptococcal infections. The inhibition was not specific with respect to streptococcal types and depended merely on the formation of precipitates in the system. The extracts had no antagonistic action in themselves. 2. Preformed precipitates derived from the interaction of an antigen and its homologous antibody or from finely divided coagulated particles of human plasma or ascitic fluid also interfered with the bacteriostasis. The supernatant fluid in which one of these precipitates was formed did not inhibit bacteriostatic activity; therefore, it seems that other possible products of the antigen-antibody reaction were not inhibitory. The relative size of the precipitate particles was a conditioning factor since small particles of one precipitate inhibited bacteriostasis, but large ones of the same precipitate failed to do so. 3. Stained films of blood cells treated with antigen-antibody mixtures which formed a precipitate revealed large cytoplasmic vacuoles containing precipitates in the polymorphonuclear leukocytes and monocytes; such engorged cells subsequently failed to phagocytize streptococci in homologous serum. Blood cells treated in the same manner, except that the antigen-antibody mixtures formed no precipitate, contained no vacuoles, and these cells were able to phagocytize the streptococci. 4. Leukocytes studied in the living state in the presence of colored precipitate and streptococci sensitized by convalescent human serum showed unselective phagocytosis of both precipitate and bacteria. The capacity of these leukocytes to ingest material however was limited. 5. As a result of non-selective saturation of their phagocytic capacity in the bacteriostatic systems containing both streptococci and precipitate, the limited number of leukocytes phagocytized only a fraction of the streptococci; consequently the remainder were able to multiply.

scholarly journals STUDIES ON A LIPOPROTEINASE OF GROUP A STREPTOCOCCI

1954 ◽  
Vol 100 (6) ◽  
pp. 629-639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elma Krumwiede
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Cell ◽  
Lipoprotein Fraction ◽  
Group A Streptococci ◽  
Specific Antibodies ◽  
Human Sera ◽  
Group A

The opalescence produced in serum by group A streptococci has been investigated. The development of opalescence is shown to be initiated by an enzyme attached to the bacterial cell which acts upon the α1-lipoprotein fraction of serum liberating the lipids from the protein. This enzyme has been termed a lipoproteinase. Evidence is presented which suggests that the degree of opalescence which develops following lipoproteinase activity is influenced not only by factors attached to the bacterial cell but also by substances present in serum. The lipoproteinase is antigenic and many human sera contain specific antibodies which inhibit the action of the enzyme.

Which is the best method to trace group A streptococci in sore throat patients: culture or GAS antigen test?

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 233-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morten Lindbæk ◽  
Ernst Arne Høiby ◽  
Gro Lermark ◽  
Inger Marie Steinsholt ◽  
Per Hjortdahl
Keyword(s):  
Sore Throat ◽  
Group A Streptococci ◽  
Antigen Test ◽  
Group A

scholarly journals STUDIES OF PHAGOCYTOSIS OF GROUP A STREPTOCOCCI BY POLYMORPHONUCLEAR LEUCOCYTES IN VITRO

1960 ◽  
Vol 111 (3) ◽  
pp. 309-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
James G. Hirsch ◽  
Alice B. Church
Keyword(s):  
Hyaluronic Acid ◽  
M Protein ◽  
Rabbit Serum ◽  
Polymorphonuclear Leucocytes ◽  
Group A Streptococci ◽  
Test Conditions ◽  
Human Sera ◽  
Group A ◽  
Hyaluronic Acid Capsule

Studies have been made on phagocytosis and killing of Group A streptococci during mixing with suspensions of leucocytes in vitro. Under appropriate test conditions an anti-phagocytic effect can be demonstrated for the streptococcal hyaluronic acid capsule as well as for its M protein. The results obtained suggest an explanation for the suitability of human, but not rabbit, blood for opsonophagocytic tests designed to measure type-specific streptococcal antibodies. Human sera contain a factor which counteracts the anti-phagocytic effects of streptococcal hyaluronic acid capsules, and hence human blood serves well for detection of antibodies which combine with the only other phagocytosis-resisting component of this microorganism, namely M protein. In contrast, rabbit sera contain none of this factor, and addition of antibody to M protein to phagocytic test systems employing rabbit serum does not necessarily render the streptococci susceptible to engulfment by white cells, since the hyaluronic acid capsule may continue to interfere with phagocytosis. The nature of the human serum factor which opsonizes encapsulated streptococci is unknown. It does not appear to be an antibody or an enzyme capable of depolymerizing hyaluronic acid.

scholarly journals EVALUATION OF THE "LONG CHAIN REACTION" AS A MEANS FOR DETECTING TYPE-SPECIFIC ANTIBODY TO GROUP A STREPTOCOCCI IN HUMAN SERA

1959 ◽  
Vol 110 (6) ◽  
pp. 887-897 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gene H. Stollerman ◽  
Alan C. Siegel ◽  
Eloise E. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Specific Antibody ◽  
Group A Streptococci ◽  
Biological Test ◽  
Liquid Media ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Human Type ◽  
Human Sera ◽  
Group A ◽  
Type 3 ◽  
Long Chain

Certain strains of Group A streptococci showed striking increase in chain length when grown in liquid media to which was added human sera that contained antibody to M protein of homologous type. This "long chain reaction" was shown to be a highly specific and sensitive biological test for human type-specific antibody and correlated closely with the classical bactericidal test. Patients infected with Type 12 or Type 3 Group A streptococci showed the appearance of anti-M antibody in their sera by both methods at similar intervals during convalescence. Of 217 sera studied in these patients the two tests showed agreement in all but 11 specimens. Of 99 patients who were bled serially following Type 12 or Type 3 infections, and whose sera were tested by both methods, there was close agreement, the bactericidal test being only slightly more sensitive. The advantages and limitations of this new biological test for human type-specific immunity are discussed.

GROUP A STREPTOCOCCAL INFECTIONS IN A CHILDREN'S HOME

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1964 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-17
Author(s):  
Hugh L. Moffet ◽  
Henry G. Cramblett ◽  
Annie Smith
Keyword(s):  
Sore Throat ◽  
Skin Diseases ◽  
Positive Culture ◽  
School Age ◽  
Group A Streptococci ◽  
Streptococcal Infections ◽  
Oral Temperature ◽  
Children's Home ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B

All children admitted to a children's home infirmary for illnesses other than skin diseases or trauma during a period of 2 years were cultured for Group A streptococci and viruses. Almost 90% of the children with fever and unequivocal exudative pharyngitis had throat cultures containing more than 10 colonies of Group A streptococci. About 90% of the illnesses with sore throat or minimal erythema without fever or exudate were not associated with a similarly positive culture. About 50% of the children with only two of the three features of fever, pharyngeal exudate, and erythema had positive cultures, and it was this group of patients for whom throat cultures were most useful. Although Group B Coxsackie viruses and adenoviruses were recovered from some of the children, Group A streptococci were clearly the most frequent cause of moderate or severe pharyngitis in children of school age and were recovered from 50% of all children with an oral temperature of 38.3°C (101°F) or higher.

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