[Effect of physical and chemical factors on the antigenic activity of the cell walls of Brucella abortus 99].

Studied was the effect of some physical and chemical factors--heating, acidity, treatment with ultraviolet rays, and enzyme treatment--on the activity of the Brucella abortus 99 cell wall antigen. The activity of the antigen was determined through the microreaction of complement-fixing after Kolmer. It was found that the antigen was most sensitive to acid treatment and treatment with ultraviolet rays, and was more slightly sensitive to the effect of alkaline agents and pronase. Besides, the antigen proved heat-resistant and did not lose its activity after treatment with trypsin and alph- and beta-amylase. The chemical nature of the epitopes (the determinant groups), substantiating the activity of the antigen is briefly discussed.