The Intracellular Proteins of Bacteria: 1. Globulins

A synthetic medium suitable for culturing members of the colontyphoid group of bacteria en masse is described. A method of obtaining purified bacterial globulins by autolysis and electrodialysis is suggested. The time required for obtaining these purified globulins by this method may be less than 24 hours. Globulins obtained from B. typhosus Hopkins, B. paratyphosus A, B. dysenteriae Flexner, B. enteritidis and B. coli serve as highly specific antigens for the production of precipitins. The specificity of these globulins for their homologous precipitins is measured on a comparative, quantitative basis. Data offered suggest this method of precipitin testing as a means to study group relationships between closely related bacterial species.