Process and materials for the rapid detection of streptococcus pneumoniae employing purified antigen-specific antibodies

The present invention discloses a cell wall C-polysaccharide antigen of streptococcus pneumoniae which contains not more than 10% by weight of protein which has been obtained by a) subjecting a culture of S. pneumoniae to a treatment which kills the bacterial cells, b) separating the killed bacteria cells as a cell pellet of weakly alkaline pH in the order of from about 7.0 to 7.4, c) subjecting the pellet to incubation with a sufficient quantity of 0.1 N NaOH to elevate its pH to a value in excess of 12.0 for a period of at least 45 minutes, d)adjusting the solution below pH3 with strong acid and delaminating the same, e) separating the upper clear solution and deproteinizing with strong prolease process, f) separating out a purified cell wall C-polysaccharide antigen containing not morethan about 10% by weight of protein. The invention also discloses a polyvalent antibody generated in animal body aiming at streptococcus pneumoniae or its cell wall C-polysaccharide antigen.