Serological Examination of Some Strains That Are in the Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare-scrofulaceum Complex But Do Not Belong to Schaefer''s Serotypes

One hundred strains belonging to the Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare-scrofulaceum (MAIS) complex but not agglutinating with antisera type-specific for Schaefer's 23 MAIS serotypes were examined using antisera against seven other such strains. Four of the 100 strains were found to be of the same serotype as one of the 7 against which antisera were prepared; 4 other strains were of the same serotype as another of those against which antisera were prepared. Although the strains against which antisera were prepared were serologically distinct from each other, no strains serologically identical to 5 of them were found. This suggests that numerous serotypes might have to be defined if strains such as those examined are to be assigned to their respective serotypes.     

Application of immunoprecipitation in agar gel for the serological typing of soybean root-nodules

The results of serological typing of root-nodule homogenates from soybean plants inoculated by mixed bacterial inocula under field and greenhouse conditions are submitted. The inocula were prepared from strains capable of serological differentiation on the basis of their somatic antigens. Individual root-nodule homogenates were typed serologically by immunoprecipitation in agar with antisera against the inoculum strains. This method gave accurate determination of the origin of 605 out of a total of 616 serologically typed root-nodules and of the individual bacterial strains which participated in their formation.     

A second serogroup of Legionella erythra serologically indistinguishable from Legionella rubrilucens.

Twenty-two red-autofluorescent Legionella strains were identified serologically as either Legionella rubrilucens or L. erythra. A rRNA probe was used for restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the strains and the patterns generated were used as an additional method of identifying the strains to species level. In two instances strains which were identified as L. rubrilucens by serology appeared to belong to the species L. erythra by RFLP analysis. This apparent contradiction was resolved by measurements of DNA/DNA homology which confirmed the existence of a second serogroup of L. erythra serologically indistinguishable from L. rubrilucens.     

Serological Examination of Some Strains That Are in the Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare-scrofulaceum Complex But Do Not Belong to Schaefer's Serotypes

One hundred strains belonging to the Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare-scrofulaceum (MAIS) complex but not agglutinating with antisera type-specific for Schaefer''s 23 MAIS serotypes were examined using antisera against seven other such strains. Four of the 100 strains were found to be of the same serotype as one of the 7 against which antisera were prepared; 4 other strains were of the same serotype as another of those against which antisera were prepared. Although the strains against which antisera were prepared were serologically distinct from each other, no strains serologically identical to 5 of them were found. This suggests that numerous serotypes might have to be defined if strains such as those examined are to be assigned to their respective serotypes.     

A second serogroup of Legionella erythra serologically indistinguishable from Legionella rubrilucens

N.A. SAUNDERS, N. DOSHI AND T.G. HARRISON. 1992. Twenty-two red-autofluorescent Legionella strains were identified serologically as either Legionella rubrilucens or L. erythra. A rRNA probe was used for restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the strains and the patterns generated were used as an additional method of identifying the strains to species level. In two instances strains which were identified as L. rubrilucens by serology appeared to belong to the species L. erythra by RFLP analysis. This apparent contradiction was resolved by measurements of DNA/DNA homology which confirmed the existence of a second serogroup of L. erythra serologically indistinguishable from L. rubrilucens.     

A serological examination of some acetic acid bacteria

Summary Antigenic studies of twenty-five strains of acetic acid bacteria show that non-overoxidising strains form a serologically distinct group which by other characteristics can be identified asAcetobacter suboxydans (Bergey's Manual, 7th Ed.) The overoxidising strains do not constitute a serologically homogeneous group although evidence is presented that interrelationships can be established between certain strains.     

Differentiation of Staphylococcal and Micrococcal Proteinases by Electrophoresis

The electrophoretic separation of the proteinases produced by staphylococci and micrococci was studied in four buffers. The duration of electrophoresis was based on the migration of a marker dye for a predetermined distance. The migration distances of the enzymes and dye were measured, and enzyme-dye values were calculated. A comparison of enzyme-dye values showed that complete separation of eight serologically different proteinases did not occur in any one buffer; however, in most instances, their relative order of migration was the same in all buffers. Certain strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis produced two proteinases that were different serologically as well as electrophoretically. Staphylococcus aureus strains, on the other hand, produced up to four proteinases that were serologically the same. The proteinases of staphylococci and micrococci can be best characterized by both electrophoretic and serological methods.     

Brucellosis in feral swine

Some 255 feral hogs were serologically tested for Brucella titers at a location in the lower coastal plain of South Carolina. Eighteen percent were reactors. The organism was cultured from lymph node tissues in one 3+ years old boar and identified as Brucella suis biotype 1. Prevalence of sero-positive animals increased with age. There were no important differences between sexes.     

Some Properties of the Pili of Corynebacterium renale

Some properties of the pili of the gram-positive bacteria Corynebacterium renale were described. A relationship was found between the morphological features of pili and the types of C. renale. Strains of types I and III usually possessed a small number of pili, whereas those of type II possessed numerous pili. Thick and long bundles of pili characteristic of C. renale were frequently observable in type II strains. Piliation of C. renale was stable under various cultural conditions. No ability to agglutinate red blood cells was demonstrated by piliated strains of C. renale. Pili were isolated from the cells of C. renale and studied serologically by immunodiffusion. The pili of a type II strain were serologically identical with the pili of another type II strain but not with those of the strains belonging to types I and III. The pili were serologically distinct from the cell wall. The pili were broken into short pieces by boiling, but their antigenicity was increased after boiling.     

P fimbriae on uropathogenic Escherichia coli O16:K1 and O18 strains

Abstract The fimbrial composition of 12 P-fimbriate uropathogenic Escherichia coli O16 and O18 strains was analysed by immunoprecipitation with 14 fimbria-specific antisera. All the O16 strains possessed a P fimbrial serovariant with an apparent M _r of 17500. One strain had an additional, serologically closely related P fimbria with an apparent M _r of 19 800. Two groups were found among the O18 strains; one possessing a type 1C fimbria and a 19800-Da P fimbria, the other lacking type 1C fimbriae and possessing a P-fimbrial variant with an apparent M _r of 17 800. Fimbriae on strains within the groups were serologically similar by immunoprecipitation assays. Also, the fimbriae on the O16 and O18 strains were mutually cross-reactive. The grouping of the O18 strains by fimbrial serology corresponded to the previous clonal grouping based on other phenotypic characters.     

The role of host cells in the genetic regulation of plasmid transfer in Escherichia coli

The role of serologically typed and nontyped E. coli cells in the expression of genetic regulation systems activity for repressed plasmids transfer (types fin OP, fin U, fin V) was studied. It is shown that the inhibiting action of such plasmids on the tra-genes functions of derepressed plasmids is more expressed in the cells of serologically nontyped E. coli (K-12 strains) than in the cells of serologically typed ones (serogroups O106, O128, O147).     

Distribution and serological specificity of sialidase produced by various groups of streptococci

The occurrence of a streptococcal sialidase (designated St-sialidase) in culture fluids of various streptococci was investigated. St-sialidase was found to occur in strains belonging to groups A, B, C, E, G, H, and L, and the unclassified strains, Streptococcus sanguis and Streptococcus uberis. St-sialidase of group A was confined predominantly to types 4 and 22. St-sialidases, extracted from the culture fluids of some selected strains, were antigenic, eliciting the formation of antibody which effectively neutralized the enzymatic activity of the enzyme. Antisera to the St-sialidases of groups A, B, C, E, G, and L, and Streptococcus sanguis were produced in rabbits. The St-sialidases of groups A, B, and E streptococci were serologically distinct and group-specific. The St-sialidases from groups C, G, and L were serologically homologous, but distinct from St-sialidases of the other groups. Antiserum to the enzyme of strain 10557 (S. sanguis) cross-reacted with the St-sialidase of strain 9927 (S. uberis).     

Lamium mild mosaic virus: a virus distantly related to broad bean wilt

Lamium mild mosaic virus (LMMV) was compared with some strains of broad bean wilt virus (BBWV). It differed somewhat in host range from BBWV; serologically, it was only distantly related to four strains of BBWV, all belonging to serotype I, but no reaction was detected with serotype II. BBWV and LMMV were not serologically related to six comoviruses. Like BBWV, LMMV sedimented in three components and the two viruses were morphologically indistinguishable, but LMMV had more slowly migrating RNAs and coat proteins. No distinctive pathological changes were seen in LMMV infected cells. It is proposed that LMMV be considered a distinct virus from BBWV but included with it in a new group of plant viruses.     

Phage Folac: an Folac plasmid-dependent bacteriophage

By enriching sewage with Escherichia coli or Salmonella typhimurium strains harbouring the plasmid EDP208, a constitutive pilus-producing derivative of plasmid F olac, a phage was isolated which plated on these two organisms but not on isogenic strains without the plasmid. The phage was named F olac; it has a hexagonal outline with a diameter of 28 nm, contained RNA, was resistant to chloroform, and probably adsorbed preferentially to the sides of EDP208 pili very near the tip. Phage multiplication could be demonstrated on E. coli or S. typhimurium strains carrying the plasmid F olac, but an increase in titre did not occur on E. coli strains carrying plasmids of the F complex. Results of phage multiplication experiments on strains carrying the depressed pilus-producing plasmids R71 or TP224-Tc, which determine pili serologically related to those of EDP208, were inconclusive. Phage F olac was found to be serologically related to phage UA-6, another isolate specific for EDP208.     

Antigenic diversity of IgA receptors in Streptococcus pyogenes

Abstract In a previous study, group A and group B streptococcal IgA receptors were shown to differ serologically, in agreement with their known structural unrelatedness. The present study was undertaken to serologically compare the IgA binding epitopes of group A streptococcal strains representing various serotypes by the use of antisera to this species. It was found that blocking antibodies occurred in antisera to IgA binding but not to non-binding strains and that binding of IgA to a streptococcal strain was generally blocked by antiserum to the homologous type. However, cross-testing of a panel of 11 IgA binding strains, representing various M and T serotypes, with 10 different antisera to group A streptococci, demonstrated that IgA receptors were inhibited to a highly variable degree and that inhibition patterns were unique for each type. Comparing solubilized IgA receptors of various strains in immunoblot experiments, a variation in the molecular mass, between approximately 35 and 45 kDa, emerged. The IgA binding epitopes, analogous to protective sites of streptococcal M-protein, thus exhibited hypervariability which may suggest that IgA binding also plays a key role for evading host immune defence mechanisms.     

Serological relationships among budding, prosthecate bacteria

The somatic antigens of 25 strains of budding bacteria were typed and 14 serologically distinct groups were identified, suggesting considerable antigenic diversity among hyphomicrobia. Ten of the groups were represented by a single isolate, 2 contained two isolates, 1 three isolates, and 1 eight isolates. The strains in the largest group of eight isolates each shared at least one common antigen. However, there was also considerable antigenic heterogeneity within this cluster. Serological activity resided in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) portion of cell walls and also in a heat labile component of Hyphomicrobium neptunium. The amino acid utilizing isolates, H. neptunium and Hyphomonas polymorpha, were serologically unrelated and it is suggested that the two organisms could be grouped as members of the same genus but not the same species.     

Polyclonal Antisera To Distinguish Strains and Form Variants of Photorhabdus (Xenorhabdus) luminescens

In this study antisera against Photorhabdus luminescens strains were prepared for the first time. P. luminescens is a bacterial symbiont of entomopathogenic nematodes belonging to the genus Heterorhabditis. To characterize P. luminescens strains and form variants, we produced polyclonal antisera against P. luminescens PE (obtained from nematode strain NLH-E87.3) and against the primary and secondary forms of P. luminescens PSH (obtained from nematode strain DH-SH1). In double-diffusion tests all form variants of strain PE reacted with the antiserum against the primary form, but each variant produced a different diffusion pattern. The primary and secondary forms of strain PSH were also serologically different. Antiserum 9226 reacted with almost all P. luminescens strains tested, but it reacted differently with each strain in the double-diffusion test, showing that the strains were serologically different. The specificity of the antisera was increased by cross-absorption. After cross-absorption the antiserum against the strain PSH primary or secondary form was specific for that form and did not react with the other form. Using the cross-absorbed antisera in immunofluorescence cell-staining tests, we could distinguish primary and secondary form cells in a mixed strain PSH culture.     

Surface characters and extracellular toxins involved in the pathogenesis of Aeromonas hydrophila

A small number of serotypically distinct strains of A. hydrophila obtained from diseased freshwater fish were examined for their pathogenic properties comprising of cell surface characteristics and extracellular toxins. Test strains exhibited homogeneity in their cell surface characteristics despite being serologically heterogeneous. Studies on extracellular biological activities revealed qualitative and quantitative differences in production of toxins, probably explaining their antigenic diversity. Three distinct proteases, namely heat stable metallo protease, heat labile serine protease and heat labile metallo protease were identified from the strains.     

Sex-specific constitutive expression of the pre-neoplastic marker glutathione S-transferase, YfYf, in mouse liver.

Hepatic glutathione S-transferase isoenzyme content has been investigated in both sexes of three inbred strains of mice (DBA/2, C3H/He, C57BL6). A polypeptide (Mr 24,800), which is immunologically related to Yf purified from rat lung, was found to be expressed as a major form in all male mouse livers but represented only a minor enzyme form in female mouse liver. Glutathione S-transferases comprising subunits with molecular masses of 25,800 (Ya) or 26,400 (Yb) were present in males and females of the three strains under investigation. Cytosolic isoenzymes from all strains and sexes were purified to apparent homogeneity and no significant inter-strain differences in the properties of the individual forms were observed. In addition, no differences were detected in the microsomal glutathione S-transferase content of the different strains or sexes.