Inactivation of Bacteriophage T4, of Poly-D-Alanyl Bacteriophage and of Penicilloyl Bacteriophage by Immunospecifically Isolated IgM and IgG Antibodies

Abstract

Anti-bacteriophage T4, anti-poly-d-alanyl and anti-penicilloyl antibodies were isolated from the sera of goats and rabbits at different times after immunization by means of water-insoluble immunoadsorbents prepared with bromoacetyl cellulose. The isolated antibody preparations were separated into IgM and IgG fractions. The relative efficiency of the isolated IgM and IgG antibodies in inactivating bacteriophage T4, poly-d-alanyl bacteriophage and penicilloyl bacteriophage differed with respect to the time after injection at which sera were collected, the method of plating and the specificity of the respective antibody used for the inactivation, leading to the conclusion that it is not possible to determine the respective concentration of antibodies of the two classes exclusively from phage inactivation measurements.