Antigenic structure of Brucella suis spheroplasts.

Baughn, Robert E. (University of Tennessee, Memphis), and Bob A. Freeman. Antigenic structure of Brucella suis spheroplasts. J. Bacteriol. 92:1298-1303. 1966.-Immunoelectrophoresis was used to differentiate between the antigenic mosaics of normal cells of Brucella suis and of spheroplasts prepared by treatment with penicillin, glycine, and a combination of these agents. Smooth cells possessed at least 13 antigens, 10 of which were precipitated with homologous antiserum. Three additional antigens were visualized by reaction with spheroplast antisera. Spheroplasts induced with glycine were the least complex, with only six antigens. Penicillin-glycine spheroplasts were similar, but possessed one additional antigen. Penicillin spheroplasts were the most complex, with eight antigens. Although there appeared to be quantitative differences between the antigens of spheroplasts and normal cells, no completely new antigens were detected in spheroplasts. Serum absorption studies indicated that four antigens were associated with the surface of normal B. suis, none of which occurred in spheroplasts.