Antigen Group

Group antigen - see Isoantigen.

The antigenic formula of the body is a set of immunogenic complexes. During immunization, antigens are also formed, for example, during the formation of antibodies to the causative agent of a bacterial infection. Distinctive antigens do not form an immune response to a given antigen, either when it is formed or when introduced into the body.

Group antigens are high molecular weight linear polysaccharides and exhibit significant homogeneity within the same population. Due to their high activity, antibodies can greatly influence the antigenic properties of proteins, which are simple molecules that determine the interaction of body antigens.

An example of a group antigen is the serogroup specificity of microorganisms, i.e. their properties of identifying one pathogen in the general antigenic composition of a microorganism, differing only in a certain degree of development. The serogroup antigen determines the effectiveness of a vaccine for a certain prophylaxis or characterizes an antibody to certain microbes, which can manifest itself in the mechanism of passive immunization.