Chemical and Antigenic Properties of the Cell Wall of Actinomyces viscosus (Strain T6)

Abstract

Pure cell wall of Actinomyces viscosus (T6) was isolated and its chemical composition was determined. The major antigen of the cell wall was the peptidoglycan. This component was similar to other bacterial peptidoglycans in its polysaccharide and peptide subunits. Quantitative chemical analysis, however, indicated a cross-bridge structure that has not been reported previously in other bacterial species.