Antigenic relationships between human and bovine tubercle bacilli and atypical mycobacteria were investigated by means of the Ouchterlony method using a culture media of these organisms as antigen, and the following were obtained:
1. The homologous reaction between H37Rv antigen and its antiserum produced three or four separate bands of precipitation. However, the reaction between H37Rv antiserum and antigen of other human tuberculous strains developed only one band of precipitate which confluenced with the first band between H37Rv antiserum and homologous antigen. The above human tuberculous strains were isolated from sputum of tuberculous patients seven years ago.
2. The reaction between the antigen of bovine tuberculous strains and antiserum of H37Rv produced only a single band, and the precipitation between the antigen of atypical and H37Rv antiserum showed only one band.
3. No reactions were observed between antigen of fresh milk strains and antisera of human tuberculous strains, but this antigen reacted with the antisera of bovine tubercle bacilli.
4. Common antigen exists between human and bovine tubercle bacilli as well as atypical mycobacterial strains.
5. Antisera of fresh milk strains did not react with the antigens of human and bovine tuberculous strains as well as with the atypical strains (1-5).
6. Antibodies against some atypical mycobacterial strains were detected in the serum of one of five cases of tuberculous patients.
7. Evaporated Dharmendra antigen showed a precipitate band with antisera of the atypical strains (1-2), H37Rv and bovine strains.
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