Evidence for O antigens as the antigenic determinants in "ribosomal" vaccines prepared from Salmonella.

The nature of the protective substance in ribosomal ribonucleic acid and protein extracts of Salmonella has been investigated. The results of experiments in which vaccines were prepared from isogenic strains and strains with defects in lipopolysaccharide synthesis show that O antigens contaminate both ribonucleic acid and protein ribosomal extracts, and are responsible for at least part of their strain-specific protective activity. In addition, it was observed that a ribosomal ribonucleic acid preparation from S. adelaide contains a heat-stable immunogen which is not an O antigen or that gives cross-protection across species lines. The contribution of ribosomes to the immunity induced by "ribosomal vaccines" is discussed.