A SEROLOGICAL DIFFERENTIATION OF SPECIFIC TYPES OF BOVINE HEMOLYTIC STREPTOCOCCI (GROUP B)

Abstract

Hemolytic streptococci of group B (derived chiefly from cattle) have been further subdivided by use of the precipitin reaction into specific types. With 3 exceptions, the 21 strains of group B were differentiated into 3 specific types. Chemical analyses of the type-specific substances of group B strains of types I and II show that they are polysaccharides (S substances). This is in contrast to the fact that proteins (M substances) were previously shown to determine type specificity among strains of human origin (group A). The group-specific substance, C, serologically identical in all members of group B, was also identified as of polysaccharide nature.