SEROLOGY OF AEROBIC AQUATIC ACTINOMYCETES. II. EFFECTS OF GROWTH MEDIUM AND CULTURE AGE ON ANTIGEN LEVELS.

Guthrie, R. K. (North Texas State University, Denton), A. W. Roach, and J. K. Ferguson. Serology of aerobic aquatic actinomycetes. II. Effects of growth medium and culture age on antigen levels. J. Bacteriol. 86:173-178. 1963.-The levels of multiple antigenic components of individual isolates of aerobic actinomycetes were affected by the medium used for culture. The nutritive requirements, and the rate of growth of specific strains on a particular medium, appear to determine the number and titer of antigen components present. The antigenic components present in largest amount reached a peak titer in these organisms in 2 weeks of growth, regardless of medium. At that time, the antigenic components were present primarily in the mycelium. After 2 weeks of growth, additional components appeared in low titer, and those components in largest amount began to appear in the medium. With the appearance of antigenic components in the medium, titers of these antigens decreased in the mycelium. Standardization of conditions of growth medium and culture age served to increase the accuracy and specificity of serological grouping on the basis of reactions observed.