Examination of the L Forms of Group a Streptococci for the Group-specific Polysaccharide and M Protein

Two strains of L forms of group A streptococci were examined for group-specific polysaccharide and found to lack this substance. One of these was found to make a substance that had several properties in common with M protein. It is suggested that the absence of the cell wall polysaccharide is responsible for the lack of rigidity of the L form and that the L form of this species closely resembles protoplasts as prepared from other species.