[Studies on the antigens of leptospires (author's transl)].

The authors show the existence of a TR (thermoresistant) antigen capable to withstand heating at 100 degrees C for 30 minutes. This antigen is present in Patoc I, serogroup Semaranga. It absorbs the corresponding immune serum at rates exceeding 99%, and appears to be the only antigen playing a part in the absorption of agglutinins. The existence of a TR antigen was demonstrated in various pathogenic serotypes. This antigen withstands heating at 80 degrees C for 10 minutes. The TR antigen absorbs antibodies of immune sera of the corresponding strains; and, in cross agglutination reactions, antibodies of the other immune sera of the studied pathogenic leptospires. the TR antigen of serotypes icterohaemorrhagiae Wijnberg, australis Ballico and pyrogenes Salinem are not able to absorb agglutinins of sera anti-Patoc I, whereas TR/Hebdomadis and TR/Pomona absorb as much as 20%. tr/hond Utrecht IV and TR/Patoc I (by absorbing their immune sera in cross agglutination) act as homologous strains with an absorption rate of 99%. The capability of absorption of TR changes according to the composition of culture media. This antigen, heated at 80 degrees C for 10 minutes and obtained pyrogenes Salinem is used for macroscopic diagnosis in slide test procedure by mixing equal proportions of antigen and serum. A positive reaction is indicated by distinct agglutination clumps.