The Difco Manual 667
Serogroups represent the organization of Salmonella strains based on
the antigen(s) shared in common and are designated by the letters A-Z.
After exhausting the alphabet, the serogroups were numbered beginning
with No. 51 (the serogroup Z organism having antigen No. 50). While
one somatic antigen identifies each serogroup, certain other antigens
may be shared among several serogroups.
Most organisms contain antigens in common that will cause cross-
reactions in an unabsorbed or “partially absorbed” antiserum. One
somatic antigen identifies a serogroup and is shared in common by
all members of a given serogroup. For example, serogroup A is
represented by three members, Salmonella Paratyphi A (somatic antigens
1,2,12), Salmonella Kiel (somatic antigens 1,2,12), and Salmonella
Nitra (somatic antigens 2,12). All three members of this serogroup
contain antigens 2 and 12 in common. Serogroup B is represented by
many organisms consisting having different combinations of somatic
antigens 1,4,5,12 and 27. Serogroup D organisms contain somatic
antigens 1,9,12, etc.
In the above example, all three serogroups A, B, and D contain
antigens 1 and 12. An antiserum prepared from a 1,2,12 culture, if not
absorbed, will react with cultures of serogroups B and D in varying
degrees depending on the concentration of the commonly shared 1 and
12 factors. This must be taken into consideration when choosing an
antiserum to be used in the examination of the salmonellae.
Several different antisera are available. Some represent group antigens.
Others are single factor sera, which should be used when testing for an
identifiable antigen in a given serogroup. Such a single factor serum is
not called a “group” serum, though it contains the group identifiable
agglutinin. (It has been recommended by the CDC that the term “group”
be applied only to those sera possessing all the major agglutinins found
in that group.)
In unabsorbed antisera, cross-reactions occur if strains sharing some
“like” antigens are tested, even when they are in separate serogroups
based on the major group antigen(s) they possess. Unabsorbed antisera
are available as group antisera containing all factors in that group.
In absorbed antisera, cross reactions are less likely and are weaker.
Absorbed antisera are available as factor specific antisera.
Flagellar Salmonella H Antigens: The flagellar (H) antigens are heat
labile and are usually associated with motility. Cultures are ordinarily
flagellated and actively motile, although flagellated cultures can be
nonmotile. H antigen characterization is done after the serogroup of
the strain is determined. The H antigens of Salmonella are designated
by letters of the alphabet, a-z, followed by z, z
1
, z
2
, etc., and by Arabic
numerals. H antigens exist in 2 phases, phase 1 and phase 2. Phase 1
antigens are expressed in letters a-z, etc., and the phase 2 antigens are
most often expressed in Arabic numerals. Older cultures may express
both phases of a diphasic serotype, but recent clinical isolates more
often express only one phase. Phase reversal may be necessary to
isolate both phases of a diphasic culture. Consult an appropriate
reference for more detailed information.
8
A pure H antiserum cannot be prepared without some somatic content.
However, since H antigens are highly antigenic, the serum derived
from motile cultures may be used at a dilution that reduces somatic
agglutination below the detection level.
Salmonella Vi Antigen: The Vi Antigen is a heat-labile envelope
antigen that may surround a cell wall and mask somatic antigen activity.
Microorganisms having the Vi Antigen will not agglutinate in O antisera.
Using Salmonella Antisera
Salmonella O Antisera: The recommended serological Identification
scheme begins with Salmonella O Antisera Poly A through Poly G,
which contain the following:
SALMONELLA POLY GROUP ANTISERA SOMATIC GROUPS PRESENT
Bacto Salmonella O Antiserum Poly A A,B,D,E
1
,(E
2
,E
3
),*E
4
,L
Bacto Salmonella O Antiserum Poly B C
1
,C
2
,F,G,H
Bacto Salmonella O Antiserum Poly C I,J,K,M,N,O
Bacto Salmonella O Antiserum Poly D P,Q,R,S,T,U
Bacto Salmonella O Antiserum Poly E V,W,X,Y,Z
Bacto Salmonella O Antiserum Poly F 51–55
Bacto Salmonella O Antiserum Poly G 56–61
*Strains of groups E
2
and E
3
are lysogenized by phage 15, then by phage 34.
These strains are now classified into group E
1
.
3
If agglutination occurs, use individual Salmonella O Group Factor
Antisera to determine the specific serogroup to which the isolate
belongs. For efficiency, test first with individual Salmonella O Group
Factor Antisera.
If agglutination does not occur with Poly A or B, test the isolate with
Salmonella O Antiserum Vi. If positive, heat and retest. If agglutination
does not occur with Salmonella O Antiserum Vi, the isolate is not
likely to be Salmonella. Results should be examined. If questions
exist, the isolate should be sent to a reference laboratory.
If agglutination does not occur with Poly C, D, E, F, and G, the isolate
is not likely to be Salmonella.
Table 3. Schema for using Salmonella O Antisera Poly Groups A, B,
C, D, E, F and G.
Salmonella O Antiserum Poly A-I and Vi: This antiserum detects
factors 1-16, 19, 22-25, 34 and Vi. This combination of factors
represents the most frequently isolated Groups A-I and the Vi antigens
and is used to screen possible Salmonella isolates.
A positive reaction indicates that further serological testing is needed
to identify the isolate using Salmonella O Group Factor Antisera. The
most common serogroups are B, D and C
1
. For efficiency, first use
the Salmonella O Group Factor Antisera for these serogroups.
If the isolate is positive with Salmonella O Antiserum Poly A-I and Vi
but negative with Poly A-Poly G, test the isolate with Salmonella Vi
Antiserum. If positive with Salmonella Vi Antiserum, heat and retest
using individual Salmonella O Antisera. If negative with Salmonella
Test with
Salmonella O antisera Poly Groups A, B, C, D, E, F and G
Test Result
+ – with – with
Poly A or B Poly C, D, E,
F and G
Test with
Individual Vi Antiserum
Salmonella O
Antisera
Test Result
+ with one + –
Salmonella O
Antiserum
(required)
Test
Determine the Heat and retest Test isolate Test isolate
Conclusion
Salmonella H with individual is not a is not a
or Next
Antigen Salmonella O Salmonella Salmonella
Action
Antisera
Section V Salmonella Antisera