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Immunologic Investigations of Meningococcal Disease

I. Group-Specific Neisseria meningitidis Antigens Present in the Serum of Patients with Fulminant Meningococcemia¹

From the Immunology Division, Naval Medical Research Unit Number 4, Great Lakes, Illinois 60088

Abstract

Patients with fatal fulminant meningococcemia had readily detectable levels of soluble group-specific meningococcal antigen in their sera. Patients with meningococcal meningitis who recovered did not give a positive test for meningococcal antigen with the test described (counterimmunoelectrophoresis). The test is rapid, sensitive and specific for meningococcal group-specific antigens. Three patients had levels of 1.5 µg/ml to 4.5 µg/ml of meningococcal antigen in their acute-phase blood samples. Such levels may signal the onset of fulminant meningococcemia. An important relationship yet to be determined is the threshold level of circulating meningococcal antigen in the serum and the reversibility of the disease process. Preliminary observations indicate such a level may exist. The rapidity and specificity of the counterimmunoelectrophoresis test for meningococcal antigen should permit its use in studying spinal fluids, as well as serum, for rapid identification of the infecting organism. Eight spinal fluids have been examined to date for Neisseria meningitidis antigen. The results all agreed with the isolation and identification of meningococci by bacteriologic methods.

Footnotes

¹ From Naval Medical Research Unit Number 4 (NAMRU-4), Great Lakes, Illinois. This investigation was done in connection with Research Project M4305.01-1013B, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Navy Department, Washington, D. C. The opinions and assertions contained herein are those of the author and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Navy Department or the Naval Service at large. The experiments reported herein were conducted according to the principles enunciated in Guide for Laboratory Facilities and Care prepared by the Committee on the Guide for Laboratory Animal Resources, National Academy of Sciences—National Research Council.

Reprint requests to: Commanding Officer, Naval Medical Research Unit No. 4, Great Lakes, Illinois 60088.