The VI Antigens of the Enterobacteriaceae

Abstract

Summary Vi antigens and deacetylated Vi antigens from P. ballerup, E. coli and S. typhosa, strain Ty2 were tested with antisera prepared against various Vi producing microorganisms by the agar diffusion precipitin test. Differences in type of reaction were noted between deacetylated antigen preparations reacted with antisera prepared with P. ballerup or S. paratyphi C bacilli and deacetylated Vi antigens reacted with antisera prepared with S. typhosa or E. coli organisms. It appeared that serologic differences exist in Vi antigens of the various bacilli used for preparation of antisera which become evident when these antisera are reacted with degraded Vi antigens. It has been shown that these differences are not differences in basic specificity of Vi antigen and its antibody.