| abstract |
Two antigenic substances derivable from Streptococcus mutans, and having molecular weights as determined by SDS-PAGE in the range of 146,000 to 155,000 daltons and 175,000 to 195,000 daltons, respectively, are of value for use in vaccines against dental caries. These substances are obtainable from S. mutans in purified form by procedures including anion exchange chromatography followed by gel filtration and affinity chromatography utilizing antibodies raised against the antigenic substance of higher molecular weight and against a third antigenic substance derivable from S. mutans having a molecular weight as determined by SDS-PAGE of 47,000 to 49,000 daltons. |