Chromatographically separated antigens of Mycobacterium leprae were tested for their ability to elicit skin reactions in guinea-pigs sensitised with homologous and heterologous mycobacteria. Of the three antigen-positive fractions obtained, one showed specific activity and the other two cross-reactivity, as indicated by studies of hypersensitivity and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. The fraction exhibiting specificity contained only one antigen, which was protein in nature, whereas the other two fractions contained more than one antigen and possessed both protein and polysaccharide constituents. Because the single-antigen-containing fraction showed both positive skin and PCA reactivity, the suggestion is made that this fraction may contain either an antigen with two determinants or may contain two antigens that are not easily distinguishable by immunodiffusion methods.
BT - Journal of medical microbiology C1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1095749?dopt=Abstract DA - 1975 May DO - 10.1099/00222615-8-2-319 IS - 2 J2 - J. Med. Microbiol. LA - eng N2 -Chromatographically separated antigens of Mycobacterium leprae were tested for their ability to elicit skin reactions in guinea-pigs sensitised with homologous and heterologous mycobacteria. Of the three antigen-positive fractions obtained, one showed specific activity and the other two cross-reactivity, as indicated by studies of hypersensitivity and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. The fraction exhibiting specificity contained only one antigen, which was protein in nature, whereas the other two fractions contained more than one antigen and possessed both protein and polysaccharide constituents. Because the single-antigen-containing fraction showed both positive skin and PCA reactivity, the suggestion is made that this fraction may contain either an antigen with two determinants or may contain two antigens that are not easily distinguishable by immunodiffusion methods.
PY - 1975 SP - 319 EP - 24 T2 - Journal of medical microbiology TI - Immunological studies on leprosy: separation and evaluation of the antigens of Mycobacterium leprae. VL - 8 SN - 0022-2615 ER -