Hypersensitivity to bacteria in eczema. II. Titre and immunoglobulin class of antibodies to staphylococci and micrococci.

The amounts of agglutinating antibody to staphylococcal and micrococcal phenol-extracted (probably teichoic acids) and protein antigens, prepared from Baird Parker types S1, SIV and M1, were no greater in eczematous than in control persons. Most antibody to phenol-extracted to phenol-extracted antigens was IgM which frequently activated complement to lyse red cells which had adsorbed the bacterial antigen. IgG antibody against phenol-extracted staphylococcal antigen (Staph. aureus, Baird Parker Type S1) was shown to be specific antibody combining by the F(ab)2 portion of the molecule. The phenol-extracts did not contain staphylococcal Protein A that binds to the Fc portion of IgG. Furthermore, the presence of Protein A in the protein or total antigen extracts did not appear to modify the results of the tanned cell agglutination test. The occurrence of immediate or of 4 h, Arthus-like skin test responses to staphylococcal or micrococcal antigens was unrelated to the agglutinin or complement-lysis titre of the relevant antibody.