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. 1978 Jul;21(1):34–40. doi: 10.1128/iai.21.1.34-40.1978

Role of antibody and complement in opsonization of group B streptococci.

A O Shigeoka, R T Hall, V G Hemming, C D Allred, H R Hill
PMCID: PMC421953  PMID: 101462

Abstract

A requirement for the classic complement pathway in opsonization of group B streptococci was observed by using both a chemiluminescence and a radiolabeled bacterial uptake technique. The classic pathway increased levels of opsonization for types Ia and II stock and wild strains and for some type III wild strains. In contrast, other type III wild strains and the type III stock strain had accelerated kinetics of uptake in the presence of an intact classic pathway, but the level of opsonization was unchanged from that with antibody alone. We could not demonstrate a significant role for the alternative pathway in opsonizing stock or wild strains of group B streptococci. Futhermore, electrophoretic and complement consumption analysis by hemolytic titration failed to reveal alternative pathway activation by the majority of strains of this group. Therapy aimed at supplying opsonins for these organisms will require the presence of type-specific antibody.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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