Abstract

A serotyping system for Proteus rettgeri on the basis of 72 O antigens has been developed in a study of 324 strains obtained from widely distributed sources. In the investigation of the interrelations among the 72 O-type strains by cross-titration of each of the 72 anti-O sera with antigen of each of the O-type strains, both reciprocal and nonreciprocal (unilateral) reactions were observed. The presence of the Kunin common enterobacterial antigen (CA) was noted in each strain of P. rettgeri examined, and the unilateral reactions of two antisera were shown to be due to antibody present against CA. This indicated that CA was in the immunogenic state in two strains of this species. A second common antigen resembling CA in some respects but differing in specificity and in its agglutinability was shown to be the cause of unilateral reactions in a third antiserum. In other cases, unilateral reactive antibodies appeared to be directed against antigens that remained undefined. Each reciprocal reaction was investigated to determine the nature of the interrelations between interacting strains, and the definition of these led to the development of procedures for the production of absorbed anti-O sera with greater specificity. The serotyping scheme has increased the number of strains that may be typed through their O antigens, and its application in epidemiological investigations of infections due to P. rettgeri is indicated.

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