Do bacteria with capsular antigen always have a capsule?

Question

Assume some bacteria have capsular antigen. **Do these bacteria always have a capsule?** I think not, I think the antigen only makes it possible.

Answer 1

If a bacteria encodes the operon of genes for capsule biosynthesis then yes it will have a capsule. If there is a mutation in an essential gene within this operon then capsule production can be effected. Capsules are so so antigens because they are repeating sugars of the same composition. With capsule vaccines researchers will add a protein component to make the capsule more antigenic.