ABSTRACT
Methods that have proven effective for serotyping other Gram-negative species are now under evaluation for their effectiveness in discriminating among the strains of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli, the two species now recognized to occur in the "related vibrios". Antigens for subspecific classification of Gram-negative bacteria have generally included those associated with the lipopolysaccharide of the outer membrane, the flagella, and the material found in the capsule. Although the thermostable antigens extractable from Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli have not been completely characterized, considerable progress may be reported on the development of schemes that utilize them as the basis for serotyping. During the development of the serotyping schemes isolates from hospitals were routinely serotyped. Considerable interest in the epidemiology of outbreaks of Campylobacter enteritis prompted the application of serotyping in the investigation of several outbreaks. The occurrence of multiple bouts of Campylobacter enteritis in two immune-deficient patients was investigated by D. J. Ahnen and W. R. Brown.
