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Antigenicity of the M Proteins of Group a Hemolytic Streptococci

IV. Cross-Reactivity Between Serotypes¹

La Rabida-University of Chicago Institute and the Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

Abstract

Group A streptococcal M proteins of serotypes 3 and 12 cross-react as a result of shared antigenic determinants. These cross-reactions are seen in passive hemagglutination assays and in lines of identity in immunodiffusion plates with antisera from rabbits immunized with purified M protein vaccines. Rabbits immunized with one of types 3 or 12 M protein vaccines produce antibodies that are bactericidal only for the homologous serotype. Children with upper respiratory infections caused by either types 3 or 12 group A streptococci develop antibodies to both serotypes. The implications of these findings are discussed with respect to streptococcal immunization of humans with M protein vaccines.

Footnotes

This investigation was supported by Grant AI-04342 of the United States Public Health Service.

Presented in part at the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, New York, May 1967.

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