Routine Identification of Group-C Streptococci by Means of an Agglutinin (Protectin) from the Albumen Gland of the Edible Snail, Helix Pomatia

Abstract

SUMMARY A crude extract of the albumen gland of the edible snail, Helix pomatia, was used for the routine identification of group-C streptococci. The reaction is specific; all of the 338 group-C strains reacted with the extract but none of either 3560 group-A or 262 group-G strains. The test may be performed by slide-agglutination with trypsinised cells, or by capillary precipitation or agar-gel immunodiffusion tests with formamide extracts of streptococci.