Gel Double Diffusion Studies with Group B and Group A, Type 9, Coxsackieviruses

Abstract

Summary Immunologic relationships between coxsackie-viruses of group B and group A, type 9, were studied by means of an antigen-antibody absorption technique in which absorbents (antigens or antibodies) were incorporated into the agar employed for gel double diffusion tests (intragel absorption). Sera from monkeys immunized by i.m. injection of virus-adjuvant mixtures absorbed only homotypic group and specific precipitating antigens. Sera from patients, or from monkeys orally infected with coxsackievirus types B1, B3, B4, B5, B6 and A9, absorbed both group and specific precipitating antigens of the infecting viral type and group antigens of heterotypes. Only sera from coxsackievirus type B2 patients (or immune monkeys) absorbed type B2 precipitating antigen. Crude precipitating antigens of coxsackievirus types B1, B3, B4, B5, B6 and A9 absorbed group and specific homotypic precipitating antibodies and group antibodies for heterotypes, while coxsackievirus type B2 precipitating antibodies were absorbed only by homotypic antigen.