Chemical and Biological Properties of the Purified O Antigen of Bordetella pertussis

Abstract

A cell wall fraction obtained by sonic oscillation, yielded a Bordetella pertussis O antigen which possessed the ability to both adsorb O agglutinins and to produce the O agglutinins in animals. It was purified by a phenol water extraction and centrifugation method. Physico-chemical and biological properties of the O antigen were similar to that of the so-called endotoxic lipopolysaccharide. It contained 2.6% nitrogen, 1.2-1.5% phosphorus, 9.0-11.0% heptose, 0.3% 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonate (KDO), 13.3-13.4% as total carbohydrate, 16-16.5% hexosamine and 25-32% lipid. Homogeneity of the purified O antigen was confirmed by ultracentrifugation, electronmicrograph and geldiffusion tests. It possessed significant pyrogenicity, adjuvant effect on antibody produc-tion, and toxicity to animals, but not protective antigenicity.