Physicochemical and biological properties of sonically treated Vi antigen.

Electrophoretically purified Vi antigen from Citrobacter freundii 5396/38 was depolymerized by sonic treatment. The treatment caused an 80% reduction in specific viscosity and a reduction in molecular weight from 1.6 x 10(6) to 3.9 x 10(4). The O-acetyl and N-acetyl contents of the antigen and its infrared spectrum remained unchanged. The sonically treated antigen was only 1% as effective as the original antigen in eliciting protection in mice against challenge with Salmonella typhi. Sonically treated antigen also elicited lower antibody titers after single injections in mice and rabbits. No loss in ability to precipitate antibody or to sensitize red blood cells for hemagglutination was observed.