PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H D Slade

Publications and source records attributed to H D Slade.

47 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Composition and properties of a group A streptococcal teichoic acid.

Teichoic acid-like material extracted by cold trichloroacetic acid from lyophilized whole cells of streptococci from groups A,D,E,O, and T was shown to give a positive precipitin reaction with group antisera. Similar material from cells of groups B,C,F,G,H,K,L,M,N,P,Q,R, and S did not give a positive reaction with group antisera. The group A material also reacted with anti-E serum; however, the opposite did not occur. A similar result was also obtained on the group T material and anti-O serum. The group A teichoic acid was purified by Sephadex column chromatography, and was shown to be free of cell wall peptidoglycan and polysaccharide, and ribitol teichoic acid. It was composed of glycerol, phosphate, alanine, and glucosamine. Alkaline hydrolysis showed the presence of ester-linked alanine and glucosaminylglycerol. Phosphorus was released from ester linkage by alkaline phosphatase. N-acetylglucosamine produced a 72% inhibition of the precipitin test at a level of 10 mumoles, and d-alanine methyl ester was significantly stronger than the l-alanine ester. A single precipitin band was seen with group A serum. The data indicate that teichoic acid of group A streptococci is a polymer composed of glycerol phosphate and containing N-acetylglucosamine and alanine. Antisera to these streptococci contain antibodies specific for the alanine and the glucosamine linkages. The use of serum containing antibodies to alanine-polyglycerophosphate shows that the occurrence of this type of teichoic acid is widespread among the streptococci.

Acetone↗

Adsorption of 3H-fatty acid esters of streptococcal groups A and E cell wall polysaccharide antigens by red blood cells and their effect on hemagglutination.

The streptococcal group A and E cell wall polysaccharide (PS) antigens were esterified under identical conditions with four fatty acid chlorides (lauroyl, myristoyl, palmitoyl, and stearoyl), varying from 12 to 18 carbon atoms. With group A PS, it was shown that the four resulting esters varied in their ability to sensitize red blood cells (RBC) to agglutination in the presence of specific antiserum. The most active was palmitoyl (16C) followed by myristoyl (14C). The least active was the lauroyl ester (12C). One-tenth as much palmitoyl ester was required as stearoyl group A PS ester. Such variation in the ability to sensitize RBC was not demonstrated with the group E esters, with the exception of the lauroyl ester which was the least active. Removal of N-acetylglucosamine from the esterified and the nonesterified group A PS by enzyme action resulted in a significant loss of serological activity of both antigens. No appreciable difference in the rate or total loss of activity was found in either case. It was demonstrated that both tritium-labeled stearic and palmitic acids and their respective PS esters were adsorbed in significant amounts to RBC. The results indicate that the esterified antigens were adsorbed to the RBC because of the presence of the fatty acid in the PS ester. Attempts to block the receptor sites on the red cell by presensitizing the cells with fatty acid were negative. Likewise, the adsorbed ester did not prevent the uptake of fatty acid at the levels tested. Tritium-labeled esterified group A PS and group E PS were used to show that the amount of antigen required to produce maximal agglutination was the same when cells from the same individual were used, whereas this was not the case when cells from different individuals were used. The amount of antigen required to produce maximal agglutination varied from one batch of sheep RBC to another. Once the optimal concentration of antigen was reached, any additional adsorption did not increase the titer of agglutination.

Adsorption↗

Detection of polysaccharide, teichoic acid, and protein antigens in bacterial colonies on an agar surface.

An improved method of using fluorescein-labeled antibody for the detection of polysaccharide, protein, and teichoic acid antigens synthesized by streptococcal colonies on an agar surface is described. The bacteria were grown on the surface of an agar medium contained in the shallow well of an immunodiffusion slide. An agar overlay containing the fluorescein antiserum was dispensed over the colonies, excess antiserum was washed out of the overlay agar, and the fluorescent colonies were observed under an ultraviolet microscope. The shallow well in the immunodiffusion slide prevented the agar from floating loose during washing, and the agar overlay prevented the fragmentation and loss of colonies. The thin layer of agar facilitated microscopic examination and the counting of fluorescent and nonfluorescent colonies. Colonies producing an antigen against which the antiserum was directed could readily be distinguished from colonies not producing the antigen. The specificity of the method was shown by using mixtures of streptococci representing six serological groups and five types. Those not known to possess cross-reacting antigens were specific in their reaction to the fluorescein antibody. Cross-reactions between the group antigens of A, C, and G, as reported previously by fluorescent staining of streptococcal suspensions, were also seen. Group A colonies reacted weakly with fluorescent E antibody and vice versa. The extraction of this antigen with cold trichloroacetic acid indicates it was related to the teichoic acids. Colonies possessing polysaccharide, protein, and teichoic acid antigens gave equally strong fluorescent reactions. This procedure permits detection of the synthesis of antigen which could not be observed by the use of a selective medium; it also eliminates the necessity for subculture of each colony and testing by appropriate serological means. Such a technique has value for studies in classification and biochemical genetics, and should be applicable to other genera of bacteria.

Antigens↗

[Detection by hemagglutination of antibodies to group A and group E streptococci by the use of O-stearoyl derivatives of their cell wall carbohydrate-grouping antigens].

The streptococcal group A and group E cell wall polysaccharide antigens were extracted with trichloroacetic acid from the cell or cell wall and esterified with stearic acid. The stearoyl derivatives contained 5 to 8% (by weight) of the ester. Sheep or human red blood cells were sensitized with the esterified antigens and were shown to agglutinate in the presence of specific rabbit antisera. Sera from (i) children hospitalized with group A streptococcal respiratory disease and (ii) swine possessing group E streptococcal lymphadenitis were shown to possess antibody titers significantly higher than the controls. The use of the two esterified antigens as controls for each other established the specificity of the reaction in each case. The general shape of the antigen-antibody precipitin curves was not changed when the stearoyl antigens were used; however, the quantitative aspects differed markedly. Oligosaccharides which inhibit the normal antigen-antibody precipitin reaction did not inhibit the hemagglutination reaction. The adsorption of antisera with whole streptococcal cells reduced the hemagglutination titer in relation to the quantity of cells employed. Data are given on the (i) optimal concentration of stearoyl antigen for sensitization, (ii) time of adsorption of antigen to red cells, (iii) use of albumin as diluting fluid, and (iv) condition of red cells. Properties of the esterified antigens and the mechanism of the agglutination reaction are discussed. The results indicate that polysaccharide antigens of other bacteria may be esterified and employed in a similar manner.

Animals↗

Transformation of type polysaccharide antigen synthesis and hemolysin synthesis in streptococci.

Transformation of the ability to synthesize type polysaccharide antigen and beta-hemolysin has been obtained in group F streptococci. Colonies possessing cells transformed to antigen synthesis were detected on the agar surface with fluorescein-labeled anti-type serum. This selection method, in contrast to those with antibiotics, allowed both transformed and nontransformed cells to grow, resulting in sectored colonies. These colonies could be subcultured to further establish the synthesis of antigen. Group F, group A, and group-like z deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) labeled with type II antigen and hemolysin, and streptomycin resistance transferred each marker to a group F strain lacking a type antigen. DNA from group F and z3 strains labeled with type III antigen, and streptomycin resistance transferred both markers to group F and z3 strains lacking type antigen. A second F strain without type antigen was not transformed with any of these markers. A group H strain was transformed to streptomycin resistance only by the same types of DNA. Transformation to type II antigen synthesis always resulted in the formation of beta-hemolysin. All strains isolated from natural sources contained both markers. A mutant, obtained by nitrosoguanidine treatment of an FII(sr) strain, did not synthesize either the hemolysin or the antigen. This mutant still possessed the group antigen and streptomycin resistance. A close linkage of type II antigen and beta-hemolysin is indicated. The fluorescent-antibody staining of cells containing both group and type antigens showed a more intense ultraviolet adsorption for type than group antigen. A surface location (microcapsular) for the type antigen appeared likely. These results are of interest for studies on antigen biosynthesis, genetics, and classification of the streptococci.

Drug Resistance, Microbial↗

Effect of resistance to chloramphenicol on bacteriophage sensitivity of group A streptococci.

Several phage hosts of group A streptococci became resistant to lysis by bacteriophage as a consequence of having acquired the ability to grow in the presence of chloramphenicol. The phage was adsorbed to the streptococcal cell, and P(32)-labeling of the phage showed that the phage genome penetrated the chloramphenicol (CM)- resistant cells as it did the parent cells. However, artificial lysis of the infected CM-resistant cells with chloroform or enzymes revealed no intracellular mature phage particles. Lysates of infected CM-resistant cells contained no phage-related antigenic materials which possessed serum-blocking power, although they were readily detected in lysates of infected parent cells. The CM-resistant cells were not lysogenized by the phage. Only cells resistant to more than 10 mug/ml of chloramphenicol were resistant to phage, and this threshold effect was taken as an indication of at least two different loci of chloramphenicol resistance on the streptococcal genome. Strains resistant to high levels of other antibiotics, such as streptomycin and erythromycin, showed no resistance to lysis by phage. Evidence indicated that the mutant cells were deficient in an essential function associated with the phage genome.

Antigens↗

Effect of filtrates from transformable and nontransformable streptococci on the transformation of streptococci.

Perry, Dennis (Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Ill.), and Hutton D. Slade. Effects of filtrates from transformable and nontransformable streptococci on the transformation of streptococci. J. Bacteriol. 91:2216-2222. 1966.-The nature of the transformation competence factor from a group H streptococcus was investigated. The activity of competence factor reached a maximum at the time that optimal competence was attained, the maxima of both occurring in the early log phase of growth. The decrease in competence factor was much more gradual than the decrease in number of competent cells. No inhibitor, however, was detected as being responsible for the decrease in either competent cells or competence factor activity. Efforts to induce transformation in other serological groups of streptococci with the use of group H competence factor were unsuccessful. The development of competence in group H when grown in the presence of nontransformable group A strains resulted in a significant increase in the number of transformants. Culture filtrates from early log phase group A cells also caused an increase in the number of transformants from the group H strain. The addition of 10(-4)m ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid to group A (or group H) culture filtrates caused significant increases in the number of transformants. These results thus indicate that group A streptococci, although nontransformable, produce low levels of "competence factor." Late culture filtrates from the group H streptococcus and several strains of group A streptococci possessed deoxyribonuclease-like activity which inhibited the transformation of the group H strain. This activity in the A filtrates, however, was not prevented by group A anti-deoxyribonuclease sera. Instead, these sera also inhibited transformation. Evidence indicates that the lack of transformation of group A streptococci is due to factors other than the production of deoxyribonuclease.

Animals↗

Extraction of Cell-Wall Polysaccharide Antigen from Streptococci.

Slade, Hutton D. (Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Ill., and Max-Planck Institut für Immunbiologie, Freiburg, Germany). Extraction of cell-wall polysaccharide antigen from streptococci. J. Bacteriol. 90:667-672. 1965.-The carbohydrate grouping antigens in the cell walls of streptococci belonging to groups A, E, G, L, and T were extracted with 5% trichloroacetic acid at 90 C. The antigens were removed also from dry whole cells by extraction with trichloroacetic acid followed by treatment with phenol-water. Details of the methods are presented. The antigens obtained by use of either of these procedures were suitable for studies on immunological specificity and chemical structure. Quantitative enzymatic and chemical analyses of two group E antigens and one group T preparation showed the presence of l-rhamnose (22 to 44%), d-glucose (7 to 22%), d-galactose (T antigen only, 26%), glucosamine (2 to 16%), and galactosamine (T antigen only, 3%). In addition, analyses of A and G antigen preparations are presented. The protein and phosphate content of the A and E antigens were about 1% each. Quantitative precipitin curves of these antigens are presented.

Journal Article↗