Analysis of the experimental lesion of connective tissue produced by a complex of C polysaccharide from group A streptococci. I. In vivo reaction between tissue and toxin.

Specific antibody and a glucosaminidase enzyme react with the serologically active sites on C polysaccharide, and local injection of these reagents will neutralize the toxic effect of C polysaccharide complexes even after an interval of 24 to 72 hours. The cell wall lysins in S. albus filtrate and from phage-lysed Group C streptococci, break down the cell wall structure of Group A streptococci but leave the serological reactive sites of the C polysaccharide intact. These reagents lose much of their ability to neutralize the C polysaccharide toxin when superinjected after an interval of 4 hours following toxin injections. Toxic C polysaccharide cannot be recovered from an injection site by intercellular perfusion of the excised skin area after an interval of 1 to 4 hours following toxin injection. It is concluded that toxic particles of C polysaccharide complexes combine firmly with the dermal tissue of rabbits within 1 to 4 hours following intracutaneous injection. The cell wall lysins neutralize the toxin by reducing the particle size of C polysaccharide complexes. This minimum particle size is required for the initial reaction with tissue and when this has occurred these reagents are no longer able to influence the development of the lesion.