[Antigenic relations of meningococcal serogroups Z and 29E].

Antigenic relations between meningococci, serogroups Z and 29E, have been studied with the use of serological methods. The thermolabile fractions of meningococci belonging to the above serogroups have been shown to contain common antigenic determinants which ensure the presence of serological cross reactions. Cross-reacting precipitating and agglutinating antibodies can be completely removed by the adsorption of meningococcal antisera, serogroups Z and 29E, with the cultures of heterologous serogroups. In the antisera adsorbed by meningococci belonging to heterologous groups a decrease in the titers of agglutinins, hemagglutinins and precipitins, particularly pronounced in adsorbed serogroup 29E antisera, has been observed.