Studies of L Forms and Protoplasts of Group A Streptococci. I. Isolation, Growth, and Bacteriologic Characteristics

Overview

Journal J Exp Med

Specialties Allergy & Immunology
General Medicine

Date 1959 Dec 1

PMID 13824817

Citations 47

Authors

E H FREIMER

R M Krause

M McCarty

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

L forms of Group A streptococci have been isolated by the use of penicillin gradient agar plates. Osmotically fragile protoplasts of Group A streptococci have been obtained by the use of Group C phage-associated lysin which lyses Group A streptococci and their isolated cell walls. Membranes surrounding these enzymatically derived protoplasts have been isolated, and chemical and immunological studies indicate that they are free of cell wall carbohydrate and M protein. The streptococcal protoplasts reproduce as colonies which are morphologically indistinguishable from streptococcal L forms. Evidence is presented to show that these two streptococcal derivatives are serologically and physiologically related to each other as well as to the parent streptococcal strain from which they were isolated.

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