ABSTRACT
The recognition of Campylobacters as important animal pathogens at the beginning of the century stimulated serological studies designed to elucidate the epidemiology of these organisms. Lior et al. using a methodology similar to the one used for the serotyping of other enteric pathogens, developed a serotyping scheme for Campylobacter Jejuni and Campylobacter coli using live cultures and absorbed, specific antisera for the detection of heat-labile antigenic factors. The study directed at flagellar antigens has shown that antisera prepared with whole or solubilized flagella cause motility inhibition and clumping of bacterial cells. Aflagellate mutants and partially purified flagella are being used as antigens in the preparation of absorbed antisera which will permit the study of the heat-labile factors of Campylobacter Jejuni. A major factor in the reproducibility of serotyping results may depend on the purity of cultures investigated. Experience with salmonella has shown the occurrence of multiple serotypes in contaminated material, and therefore serological investigations are performed on single colonies.
