Protein Fractions of the H 37 (Human) Strain of Tubercle Bacillus

Abstract

The method of protein fractionation recently used by the authors for the timothy grass bacillus has been applied to a human strain of tubercle bacillus. The somewhat stronger precipitin reactions given by the fractions in an anti-timothy bacillus serum than in the homologous antiserum indicate that all contain group-specific protein. The only additional biological data available at the present preliminary stage are that a proportion of normal rabbits showing a negative skin test to fraction K respond with a "lighting up" of the original test area during a subsequent course of intra-venous injections of K, and a distinct difference in type of skin reaction produced by the D and K fractions in tuberculous guinea pigs.