Structural elucidation of the capsular polysaccharide of Neisseriameningitidis group H

Abstract

The capsular polysaccharide from newly isolated N. meningitidis group H elaborates a structurally unique polysaccharide which is the group-specific antigen. The polysaccharide contains D-galactose, glycerol and phosphate in the molar ratio of 1:1:1. The polysaccharide contains O-acetyl groups, in the molar ratio of 0.8:1.0 with D-galactose, which are essential to the formation of the major group specific determinant based on serological experiments described. Although all the O-acetyl groups are located on D-galactopyranosyl residues, the substitution pattern is complex, 60% of the residues being substituted at O-3 and 20% at O-2.