A study of the surface and somatic antigens ofBacteroides fragilis

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Abstract
Summary: Antisera against live cultures of 20 strains ofBacteroides fragilisproduced in rabbits agglutinated homologous whole-cell as well as O-antigen suspensions with several cross-reactions. Pure specific antisera were produced by absorbing cross-reacting antigens. O-antisera reacted against O-antigens but failed to do so against most whole-cell suspensions, suggesting the presence of surface structures which might have blocked the reactions. The titres of the whole-cell antisera were not significantly higher than those of O-antisera, but the reactions were more definite and easier to read.This system may prove useful in serological studies ofB. fragilis.