STUDIES ON H. PERTUSSIS LIQUID CULTURES: III. LOCALIZATION OF SURFACE ANTIGENS BY MEANS OF FLUORESCENT ANTIBODY

Abstract

The fluorescent antibody technique was used in an attempt to clarify the relationship between the morphology of the surface of Haemophilus pertussis and the antigenic properties of its capsular antigens. First, specific antibodies were produced by injection into rabbits of agglutinogenic and protective surface washings of the bacilli. Then, these antibodies were made fluorescent and used to mark specifically and in situ the original capsular antigens at the surface of bacilli grown in liquid as well as on solid media. Thus was obtained morphological and specific evidence for the presence of a capsule containing antigenic material.