[Back to Issue 9 ToC] [Back to Journal Contents] [Back to Biochemistry (Moscow) Home page]

REVIEW: Bacterial Capsular Antigens. Structural Patterns of Capsular Antigens


Yu. S. Ovodov

Institute of Physiology, Komi Science Center, Urals Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Pervomaiskaya 50, 167982 Syktyvkar, Russia; fax: (8212) 241-001; E-mail: ovoys@physiol.komisc.ru

Received January 10, 2006; Revision received April 5, 2006
Structural patterns of bacterial capsular antigens including capsular polysaccharides and exoglycans are given in this review. In addition, the immunological activity of capsular antigens and their role in type specificity of bacteria are discussed.
KEY WORDS: bacterial capsular antigens, capsular polysaccharides, bacterial exoglycans, structure, immunological activity, type specificity

DOI: 10.1134/S000629790609001X