Observations on the antigenic structure ofPseudomonas aeruginosa

Abstract

Twenty-four selected strains ofPseudomonas aeruginosahave been classified on the results of precipitin tests with trichloracetic acid extracts into six serological groups.This differentiation was confirmed by O agglutination.Four of the six serological groups can be further subdivided according to their sensitivity to one or more of nine phages.Alcohol treatment reduces agglutinability of some strains, particularly if alcohol is added to very concentrated suspensions of bacteria in the preparation of O suspensions.The precipitation method has been applied to eighty successive strains ofPs. aeruginosaisolated, and with the available sera seventy-two could be placed into one or other of the six serological groups.I am grateful to Mr G. S. Turner and Miss D. L. Deeks for their able and enthusiastic assistance in this work, and to all the members of my staff for their constant helpful co-operation.The Virus Research Unit was in receipt of additional financial assistance from the Nkana-Kitwe and Chingola Poliomyelitis research funds.