STUDIES ON THE PHYSIOLOGY OF RICKETTSIAE IV

Mattheis, MarthaS. (University of Kansas, Lawrence), M.Silverman, and D. Paretsky. Studies on the physiology of rickettsiae. IV. Folic acids ofCoxiella burnetii. J. Bacteriol.85:37–41. 1963.—Yolk, yolk sac, and embryo tissues of uninfected eggs, and those infected withCoxiella burnetii, were analyzed for folic acid derivatives by employing diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-cellulose column chromatography. Infected tissues contained quantitatively less folate, but the elution profiles of both infected and uninfected tissues were identical. PurifiedC. burnetiicontained some types of folate apparently unique to these rickettsiae, and not found in infected tissue. The major folate fraction ofC. burnetiiwas partially characterized by (i) elution position from DEAE columns; (ii) treatment with conjugase; (iii) growth response byLactobacillus casei, Streptococcus faecalisR, andPediococcus cerevisiae; and (iv) response to oxidation, reduction, and formylation.</jats:p

Further characterization of a lipopolysaccharide from Coxiella burneti

The lipopolysaccharide previously isolated from the rickettsial agent of Q fever, Coxiella burneti, phase I, has been further characterized. The sugar residues ribose, mannose, gluclose, D-glycero-D-mannoheptose, and L-glycerto-D-mannoheptose are present. Two sugars remain unidentified, one of which is a minor and the other a major constituent. Isomyristic, palmitic, and beta-hydroxymyristic acids are the major fatty acid residues of the 15 identified. The nature and content of other lipopolysaccharide constituents are presented.</jats:p