The interaction in vitro between human granulocytes and meningococci in the presence of sera from volunteers immunized by Gotschlich et al. with purified group A and group C meningococcal
polysaccharides was studied. Phagocytosis of meningococci did not occur in the presence of preimmunization sera. In all volunteers tested, group-specific
opsonins were detected in groups A and C
polysaccharide antisera. Opsonic activity appeared within 1 wk after immunization and persisted for at least 14 months. Titers of opsonic activity ranged from 1:20 to 1:320; highest titers were noted in 2-4 wk
antisera. Meningococcal
opsonins were detected in both 19S and 7S
immunoglobulins. Opsonic activity in low-titer
antisera depended on heat-labile factors present in both normal and
immune sera, whereas phagocytosis was observed in the presence of heat-inactivated high-titer
antisera. Phagocytosis of group A meningococci in the presence of certain group A
polysaccharide antisera was inhibited by N-acetyl
mannosamine, but not by
mannose,
mannosamine,
N-acetyl glucosamine, N-acetyl
galactosamine, or N-acetyl neuraminic
acid. Absorption studies with sera from patients with natural
meningococcal infections revealed that these
polysaccharides are the major antiphagocytic determinants for group A and group C meningococci. These studies are consistent with previous reports suggesting that immunization with group A and group C
polysaccharides may well provide group-specific protection against
meningococcal infections.