Description:
<jats:p>Antibodies against a group protein antigen of coagulase-positive staphylococci, Jensen's protein antigen A, were present at similar concentrations in all paired maternal and cord sera. Teichoic acid antibodies were detectable less frequently but were present almost exclusively in cord sera from infants whose mothers' sera also contained teichoic acid antibodies. No IgA and only 0 to 27 mg/100 ml IgM were detected in eight cord sera containing antibodies against both teichoic acids and antigen A. Teichoic acid precipitates from adult sera were predominately also IgG, but 4 to 29% of the teichoic acid immunoglobulins were IgM and 0 to 6% were IgA. As compared to maternal sera, cord sera was deficient in IgM and IgA staphylococcal antibodies even though total concentrations of precipitating antibodies appeared similar in the two groups of sera. The relative effects of different immunoglobulins in preventing or combating staphylococcal diseases are unknown but deserve further study.</jats:p>