21 strains of acid-fast bacilli isolated from lepers and some other sources (heal-thy individuals and soils) were studied for their immunological characteristics by agglutination, precipitation and hemagglutination reactions. 10 strains selected by their biological and pathological characteristics were immunized against rabbits and immune sera were tested to antigens of each strain. Antigens were bacterial bodies, crude culture extracts or filtrates, and those in purified form were not tested.
The results of agglutination, precipitation and hemagglutination reactions roughly parallel each others. Strong reactions were observed between sera and corresponding or related antigens and weak group reactions were observed with some unrelated antigens. Three strains 5N, 6N and No. 16 showed strong relation-ship with tubercle bacilli, B.C.G. but not with bovine tubercle bacilli. Bovine strain showed some different reactivity with other tubercle bacilli, and exhibited group reactions with some acid-fast bacilli from mouth cavities and soil samples.
Polyvalent sera obtained from lepromatous lepers react strongly with lepromin antigens and weakly with some of antigens obtained from isolated strains. Immune sera of representative strains essentially did not react with lepromin antigens.
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