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We have developed a simple agglutination (LA) method for the detection of enteric adenovirus (EAd) in stool samples from infants with acute gastroenteritis. Ad type 41 (Ad41) was detected with high sensitivity and specificity by a slide agglutination test using latex particles coated with antiAd41 antibody (LA-antiAd41). The agglutination of LA-antiAd41 with Ad41 on a glass slide was evident macroscopically within 2 min. The sensitivity of the LA method was four times higher than that of the EM method.

The present report described the production and characterization of a monoclonal antibody, TMY1, specific for an O-antigen of Salmonella bacilli. The following results were obtained: The slide agglutination test against strains of Salmonella serovars indicated the responsiveness of TMY1. TMY1 was reactive only to strains that also possessed O5-antigen in group O4. The agglutinating ability of TMY1 was absorbed completely with bacilli possessing O5-antigen in group O4. When treated with 1 N HCl, bacilli possessing O5-antigen in group O4 showed no agglutinability in the presence of TMY1. The data indicates that TMY1 was specific for O5-antigen. Strains of Salmonella group O4 were classified by the agglutination test with TMY1 into two subgroups, O5-antigen positive and negative, suggesting the usefulness of TMY1 as an epidemiologic tool for the serotyping of Salmonella.

The latex agglutination assay for detection of Aspergillus and Penicillium species in food products was tested by nine different laboratories. The test is a slide agglutination test which uses latex particles sensitized with immunoglobulins specific for extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) produced by species of Aspergillus and Penicillium. False positive results are recognized by use of sensitized latex particles, to which synthesized haptens have been added. These haptens, with an identical structure of the epitopes present on the EPS, specifically block the immunoglobulins present on the latex particles. False negative results are recognized by addition of EPS to test samples. Besides the latex agglutination assay, the collaborative laboratories used their own methods for detection of moulds in the food products. Eight of the nine laboratories applied the colony counting method for enumeration of moulds and in total seven different media were used. Using purified EPS, eight laboratories were able to det...

A preliminary survey of 2,407 psittacine bird sera for Salmonella typhimurium agglutinins has been reported.’ The purpose of the current survey was to obtain additional data on psittacine bird sera and to expand testing to include other types of exotic birds. The 3,915 psittacine bird sera and the 239 pigeon and dove sera tested were selected from those submitted to the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for Chlamydia testing as previously described. The 17 ostrich sera were submitted specifically for Salmonella serology because of an existing disease problem. The 7 emu sera were submitted for Salmonella serology for a health status check. The whole bacterial cell-stained antigen and the slide agglutination testing methods were used as previously described. Antigen was purchased from the University of Minnesota and stained at the TVMDL. The results on all types of birds are shown in Table 1. Positive reactions (complete agglutination) occurred in sera from 16 (3.3%) of 489 African gray parrots submitted singly and 23 (28.75%) of 80 submitted from a breeder group; 8 (0.7%) of 1,222 Amazon parrots; 1 (0.7%) of 141 cockatiels; 2 (0.4%) of 566 cockatoos; 1 (0.4%) of 227 conures; 1 (0.2%) of 636 macaws; 1 (3.0%) of 33 Senegal parrots; 1 (unspecified parrot type) (0.2%) of 521 mixed types of psittacine birds; 6 (2.5%) of 239 pigeons and doves; and 1 (5.8%) of 17 ostriches. Geographic locations of serologically positive birds, which were from 12 states widespread across the USA, are not shown. Equivocal reactions (partial agglutination) were found in sera from 3 African gray parrots, 8 Amazon parrots, 3 macaws, 1 Pionus parrot, 2 parrots of unspecified type, 2 pigeons and doves, and 1 ostrich. All of the 7 emu sera were negative. The overall percentage of positive reactions in psittacine bird sera was comparable to that reported previously. Again, a group of Congo African gray parrots had a high percentage of reactors. This group was established in a breeder facility, whereas the first such group reported was a newly imported group. The Congo African gray parrot appears to be highly susceptible to S. typhimurium infection. The positive serologic results indicate that Amazon parrots and pigeons/doves also probably are important hosts of S. typhimurium. Because of the small numbers of cockatiel and Senegal parrot sera tested, it is not clear how important these psittacine bird types are as hosts of S. typhimurium, although the percentages of positive results were respectively comparable to those of Amazon parrots and African gray parrots. Salmonellosis caused by S. typhimurium can be a problem

C-reactive protein (CRP) was assessed in pediatric serum samples using different commercial latex reagents, which were analyzed for species origin of the coating antibodies, homogeneity and density of the latex particles, and prozone agglutinating capacity. All reagents correctly agglutinated the positive and negative control sera. The antibodies coating the particles differed with regard to species origin: one was coated with rabbit, one with horse and goat, one with horse, goat, rabbit and swine, while the reference reagent had horse, goat and rabbit antibodies. Only the monospecies specific antibody-coated latex showed obvious prozoning; this reagent also had the smallest and most homogenous latex particles and showed the most clear-cut reactions. False agglutination was observed at 7–26% according to quantitation with the spot immunoprecipitate assay, which compared favorably with radial immunodiffusion measurements. The lowest percentage of false readings was noted for the rabbit antibody-coated particles; the highest for the reagent with particles coated using antibodies from 4 different species. No reagent had satisfactory precision for the low positive sera between 10 and 40 mg CRP/1.

It is technically impractical for many clinical laboratories to use the direct immunofluorescence assay for identifying and serogrouping clinical isolates of Legionella. We compared the results obtained with the direct immunofluorescence assay with the results of a simple and less-demanding slide agglutination test for identifying 15 serogroups representing seven Legionella species. The slide agglutination test was in complete agreement with the direct immunofluorescence assay, and the serogroup to which 64 clinical isolates of Legionella belonged was correctly identified. With polyvalent, pooled antisera and absorbed, serogroup-specific antisera, the slide agglutination test is a useful alternative to the direct immunofluorescence assay in the diagnosis of Legionella infections and for studying the serological relationships of Legionella-like organisms.

Standard and experimental tests were used by a reference diagnostic laboratory to determine the identity of 182 "suspected" Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates submitted by state health departments because of inconclusive laboratory results. More than 97% of these cultures were subsequently identified by a rapid microcarbohydrate test in conjunction with confirmatory immunological procedures. The experimental rapid slide agglutination test using rough-lipopolysaccharide antibody, the Phadebact co-agglutination test, and fluorescent antibody test identified 49.3 to 94.1% of these cultures. Because of frequent problems with carbohydrate utilization, Neisseria meningitidis and Branhamella catarrhalis were the two microorganisms most often confused with N. gonorrhoeae by submitting laboratories.

Five hundred strains of thermophilicCampylobacter spp. from sporadic cases of enteritis and from epidemiologically related infections connected with outbreaks were serotyped. The haemagglutination method of Penner and the slide agglutination method of Lior were used together. Greater discrimination was obtained by the use of two methods together than by either alone; 96 % of sporadic strains were typed using a restricted set of typing sera. Of the sporadic strains, 50 % fell within five Penner serotypes and 50 % fell within four Lior serotypes, so the increased discrimination obtained by using both methods was particularly useful amongst these most common serotypes. In outbreaks associated with one serotype both methods gave consistent results, and in outbreaks due to multiple serotypes the two methods complimented each other.

A practical slide agglutination test, with commercial antisera (Difco) and live antigens (antigens of live bacteria) taken directly from 24-h antimicrobial susceptibility plates, has been established for serotyping Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Until recently, the lack of both a standard antigenic scheme and a source of commercial antisera has made serological typing of this organism impractical. A simplified procedure with 17 unabsorbed antisera and live antigens prepared from materials readily available in most clinical microbiology laboratories makes epidemiological typing of this organism possible in hospital laboratories. The distribution of each serotype examined in this study was determined by using 425 consecutive patient isolates from six different hospitals. The distribution of O antigen groups (live antigen) was as follows: O1, 11.5%; O2, 1.6%; O3, 3.8%; O4, 7.8%; O5, 4.2% O6, 27.1%; O7,8, 5.9%; O9, 6.8%; O10, 2.4%; O11, 8.2%; O12 through O17, each less than 1%. Ten and six-tenths percent of the above agglutinated in two antisera, 3.3% agglutinated in more than two antisera, and 5.2% did not agglutinate in any antisera. A comparison of live and heated antigens shows that 93.2% were typable with the live antigen, and 94.5% were typable with the heated antigen. When both antigens were used, we typed 96.3% of 725 isolates. The reproductibility and specificity of the serological procedure were examined. We recommend using the live antigen for routine serological typing in clinical microbiology laboratories for “in house” epidemiology and reserving the heated antigen for reference and research typing (and for those few cases where results cannot be obtained using the live antigen). The application of serotyping in the study of outbreaks of P. aeruginosa is also presented.

Cepas de H. aegyptius isoladas em surtos de Febre Purpúrica Brasileira (FPB) no Brasil, foram caracterizadas pelo método de aglutinação em lâmina utilizando um anti-soro produzido com cepa de H. aegyptius isolada de cultura de sangue de paciente com FPB. Através desse método foi possível identificar cepas de H. aegyptius responsáveis por surtos de conjuntivite com características antigênicas iguais às cepas isoladas de FPB. A sensibilidade e especificidade da soroaglutinação em lâmina foi de 97,7% e 89,6% respectivamente, podendo ser utilizado como método de triagem em estudos de conjuntivites purulentas, para detectar cepas invasivas de H. aegyptius associadas a FPB, possibilitando assim a implantação de medidas que ampliem a eficiência na prevenção e na vigilância epidemiológica da doença.

The comparison of the cultural, biochemical and serological properties of 286 strains of Streptococcus sp. isolated from streptococcal disease of cultured yellowtail (Seriola quinqueradiata) at various parts of Japan during the period from 1974 to 1980 were investigated.It was confirmed that these strains have been possessed a very similar characteristics according to the cultural and biochemical tests.Although some cultural characteristics of Str. sp. are most similar to those of Str. faecalis and Str. faecium, Str. sp. are not react with group D streptococcus antiserum. Therefore, it is necessary to establish the idetification method for Str. sp.Str. sp. were presumptively identified by bile-esculin medium (growth in 40% bile and hydrolyze esculin), eosin-methylen blue medium (no ferment lactose), a modified NaCl medium by QADRI (nochange color) and the rapid hippurate hydrolysis test by HWANG (negative reaction), and in addition, accurately identified by the slide agglutination using Str. sp. antiserum prepared with Str. sp. KGtype strain.Besides, Str. sp. could be detected in pur and a high frequency from brain rather than other organs of diseased fish in our own past experience.

One hundred three cases of bacteremia or meningitis due to Haemophilus influenzae in adults were evaluated. Among 96 episodes of bacteremia, 60% were due to pneumonia and 15% to genital-related infections; 10% had no apparent source of infection. Of 42 isolates serotyped in routine fashion by slide agglutination, 79% were reported as type b. In contrast, of 45 isolates from the same interval with confirmed serotyping (usually by counterimmunoelectrophoresis), only 29% were type b and 64% were nontypable; 26% had been misidentified by routine slide agglutination. The majority (85%) of confirmed typable strains were biotype I. Four (40%) of 10 nontypable obstetrical isolates belonged to the relatively rare biotype IV. Only 2% of isolates were ampicillin-resistant, despite a high resistance rate among pediatric isolates in the same communities. When serotyping is carefully performed, nontypable organisms appear to be the major cause of invasive H. influenzae disease in adults.

Four hundred and forty-three Dutch field isolates of Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae were serotype by rapid slide agglutination (RSA) using specific antisera against serotypes 1 to 5 and against the recently proposed types 6 to 9. The predominant serotypes were 9 (49%) and 2 (32%). Serotypes 1, 3, 5, 7 and 8 were isolated in small numbers: together they accounted for 3% of the total. Five percent of the isolates were not typable either due to autoagglutination or because they were not agglutinated by any of the available antisera. The remaining 49 strains (11%) aglutinated in more than one antiserum and could therefore not be properly classified. Forty-four of these 49 strains agglutinated in both anti type 1 and anti type 9 serum. Antigenic relationships between serotype 1, serotype 9 and isolates reacting with both antisera were studied using immunodiffusion and RSA with adsorbed sera. Serotype 9 strains appeared not to be a homogenous group. Isolates agglutinating exclusively in anti type 9 serum can be divided into two groups: one closely related and another hardly related to serotype 1. Serotype 9 reference strain 13261 belongs to the latter. Type 1 + 9 strains have antigens in common with serotypes 1 and 9, but they also have their own specific antigenic material. Such strains are proposed as a new serotype 10.

Haemophilus equigenitalis could be isolated repeatedly from seven mares and two stallions (all trotters) of a stud farm in Northern Germany, which had encountered reproductive problems. Morphological, cultural and biochemical identification of H. equigenitalis was confirmed serologically, particularly by positive slide agglutination reactions with specific antibodies adsorbed to protein A-positive staphylococci.

SUMMARY The aetiological agent of contagious equine metritis (CEM) has been investigated bacteriologically in a wide range of cultural and conventional biochemical tests, in the electron microscope, for DNA base composition (36.1 per cent GC), for susceptibility to various antimicrobial agents and antigenically by means of tube and slide agglutination tests. The organism is a fastidious, Gramnegative, non acid-fast coccobacillus which in biochemical tests is very unreactive. In conventional tests, only the oxidase, catalase and phosphatase tests were positive. Dependance on neither X nor V factors could be demonstrated, but some stimulation of growth by X factor was observed. The organism could not be identified with any known species and even allocation to an appropriate genus was difficult. Rather than create a new genus of only one species defined mainly on negative characters, we propose the organism as a new species of the genus Haemophilus: H. equigenitalis, type strain NCTC 11184 (61717/77). RESUME L'agent etiologique de la metrite equine contagieuse 1977 (CEM) a ete l'objet de nombreuses etudes biochimiques; on l'a etudie au microscope electronique: on a determine sa composition en ADN (36,1 % GC), on a precise sa sensibilitea de nombreux agents anti-microbiens, on a apprecie son comportement antigenique par des tests d'agglutination en tube et sur lame. L'organisme est un cocco bacille Gram negatif difficile a isoler et dont le comportement biochimique est peu evocateur. Pour les epreuves habituelles seuls les tests a la catalase, a l'oxydase et a la phosphatase ont ete positifs. On n'a pu etablir sa dependance pour les facteurs X et V bien qu'une certaine stimulation de la croissance par le facteur X aie pu etre constatee. Cet organisme n'a pu etre identifiea aucune espece connue et meme son classement dans un genre precis s'est revele difficile. Plutot que de creer un genre nouveau pour cette espece isolee definie surtout par des caracteres negatifs nous proposons que cette bacterie soit designee comme une espece nouvelle, Haemophilus equigenitalis, type souche NCTC 11184 (61717/77). ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Der aetiologisch fur die ansteckende Stutenmetritis (CEM; contagiose, equine Metritis) verantwortliche Keim wurde bakteriologisch mit einer Vielzahl kultureller und biochemischer Tests untersucht; daneben wurde er elektronenmikroskopisch studiert, seine DNS-Zusam-mensetzung eruiert (36.1% GC), seine Empfindlichkeit gegenuber verschiedenen antimikrobiellen Stoffen getestet und seine antigenetischen Eigenschaften in verschiedenen Agglutinationstests abgeklart. Der Keim ist ein anspruchsvoller, gramnegativer und biochemisch sehr wenig reaktiver Coccobacillus. Unter den ublichen Tests fielen nur Oxydase, Katalase und Phosphatase positiv aus. Weder von X- noch V-Faktoren besteht eine Abhangigkeit, obschon eine gewisse Wachstumsstimulation durch den X-Faktor zu beobachten war. Der Organismus konnte mit keiner bekannten Spezies identifiziert werden und sogar seine Zuteilung zu einem Genus erwies sich als schwierig. Anstatt eine neue Gattung mit nur einer Art, die vor allem durch negative Eigenschaften charakterisiert ist, zu schaffen, schlagen die Autoren die Klassierung des Keimes als neue Art (H. equigenitalis, Referenzstamm NCTC 11184 (61717/77)) des Genus Haemophilus vor.

We used the slide agglutination test to determine the serologic relationships of 22 Legionella spp. representing 33 serogroups. Antisera prepared against 14 of the Legionella spp. contained cross-reactive antibodies (1+ or greater) at their working dilutions. Numerous cross-reactions were observed for the blue-white fluorescing Legionella spp. With only three exceptions in the latter group, cross-reactive antibodies were removed by absorption, thereby producing serogroup-specific antisera. For screening tests or for identification only to the genus level, nine polyvalent antiserum pools were prepared. Routine use of slide agglutination test reagents should expand the number of Legionella spp. that can be identified in the clinical laboratory and, at the same time, provide a simpler, less costly test procedure.

The efficacy of an inactivatedMycoplasma strain F38-saponin vaccine in natural infection with contagious caprine pleuropneumonia was investigated. A total of 10,000 goats were vaccinated, out of which 400 were regularly monitored for a period of six months post-vaccination. Immunised animals remained free from infection throughout the period of observation. The antibody response was followed using complement fixation and slide agglutination tests. Both tests could detect F38 antibody in the majority of vaccinated goats but the slide agglutination test was found to be more sensitive than complement fixation. The significance of the results is discussed.

Summary Cadness-Graves et al. used a slide agglutination reaction with human plasma to identify Staphylococcus aureus . The clumping factor (CF) is responsible for this reaction by reacting directly with the fibrinogen. To increase the sensitivity and the specificity of the reaction and the taxonomic value of the test based on the CF detection, a passive hemagglutination has been developped and applied on 580 staphylococcal strains. Formolized sheep red cells were sensitized with human fibrinogen. This reaction has been compared to the classic plasma slide test. The hemagglutination test is more suitable and more precise than the plasma slide test. The detection of staphylococcal affinity to fibrinogen using the passive hemagglutination reaction is a method which is simple and specific, and therefore of obvious interest in taxonomic studies.

Ninety-eight hospital strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from six different hospitals in Athens were serotyped by a slide agglutination test with unabsorbed commercial antisera. Serotypes O6, O11, O12, and "pool E" strains (strains that agglutinated only in pool E, which contained antisera against O2, O5, O15, and O16 antigens, but did not agglutinate in the individual antisera) predominated, accounting for more than 62% of all isolates tested. In respect to serotypes, (i) there was no apparent correlation with hospital of origin, (ii) most strains of serotypes O6 and O11 were sensitive to gentamicin and carbenicillin (iii) most strains of pool E were from urine and were resistant to these drugs, (iv) all 9 strains of serotype O12 tested were resistant to carbenicillin and all 5 strains tested hydrolyzed this drug, and (v) 24 of 25 strains of pool E were resistant to carbenicillin but only 2 of 17 strains hydrolyzed it.

One thousand two hundred and sixty seven isolates of Bacteroides nodosus from 292 sheep in 58 flocks were examined. Of these, 1260 could be classified by slide agglutination into 8 serogroups designated A to H. Up to 6 serogroups were detected in individual flocks, with up to 4 serogroups being detected in a single foot. Of the 292 sheep examined, 38 (13%) carried mixed serogroup infections. Determination of the range of serological types infecting a flock frequently required the examination of a number of isolates from each of a number of sheep. Cross-tube agglutination tests carried out on 44 isolates and their antiserums indicated that members of some serogroups could be divisible into subgroups or serotypes. These results suggested that 16 or more serotypes of B. nodosus might exist. The nature of the antigens responsible for both slide and tube agglutination reactions needs to be determined.

Fifty strains of nine Saccharomyces species such as S. exiguus, S. unisporus, S. rosei, S. delbrueckii, S. dairensis, S. inconspicuus, S. vafer, S. fermentati and S. saitoanus were examined with respect to their serological properties and patterns of 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-n. m. r.) spectra of cell wall polysaccharides. The strains examined could be divided into three groups by slide agglutination tests using factor sera. Group I of S. exiguus including several strains of two different species, S. delbrueckii and S. dairensis, possessed antigens 1, 4, 5, 6, 10 and 26. Similarly, Group II strains of S. unisporus, S. exiguus and S. delbrueckii contained antigens 1, 4, 5, 6, 10 and 23. Group III composed of six different species possessed antigens 1, 4 and 24. After all, nine species including type strains were divided serologically into three groups. Antigenic differences were found among the strains of single species such as S. exiguus and S. delbrueckii. Therefore, the strains of S. exiguus in Group II and the strains of S. delbrueckii in Group I and II are assumed to be mislabeled strains. These strains were confirmed by the 1H-n. m. r. spectral patterns that correlated well with the serological relationships. The strains of S. rosei, S. inconspicuus, S. vafer, S. fermentati, S. saitoanus and S. delbrueckii in Group III are considered as one species because they were closely related by their serological characteristics and 1H-n. m. r. spectra of cell wall polysaccharides. In addition, slide agglutination methods with factor sera are excellent as the rapid and accurate test procedures for yeast identification.

A modified rapid slide agglutination test for the presumptive identification of Brucella canis infection in dogs has been developed. The method required mixing 0.1 ml of canine serum with 0.1 ml of 0.2 M 2-mercaptoethanol solution. Equal volumes (0.05 ml) of the treated serum and the B. canis plate antigen were mixed. Agglutination results were read within 2 min. Clinical studies showed 100% agreement between this method and the conventional 2-mercaptoethanol tube agglutination test. Excellent correlation was shown between cultural isolation and the modified rapid slide agglutination test, using sera from experimentally infected dogs.

Sera from patients in different stages of brucellosis as well as sera and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with central nervous system (CNS) brucellosis and controls, were tested by ELISA for Brucella-specific IgG, IgM and IgA. The results were compared with culture findings, micro-agglutination (MA), slide agglutination with Rose Bengal (RB), and Brucella melitensis stained antigens (SA). In sera of patients with acute brucellosis (296), ELISA was positive for IgM (100%), IgG (97%) and IgA (98%), and comparable results were found in sera of patients with subacute brucellosis (44): IgG (100%), IgM (86%) and IgA (100%). However, in patients with chronic brucellosis (40), IgG and IgA were consistently positive (100%) while IgM was only positive in 33% of their sera. The MA and RB showed similar results, being more positive in patients with acute (98%) and subacute (84%) than in chronic (61%) brucellosis. The SA and culture showed significantly lower positive results. In the CSF of patients with CNS brucellosis (45), ELISA was positive in 100%, 20% and 85% for IgG, IgM and IgA, respectively, compared to 13% positive by culture, 25% by MA and 22% by RB. ELISA was negative in the CSF specimens from patients with brucellosis without CNS involvement (66), or meningitis other than Brucella (62), and no meningitis (144). Thus, ELISA with its IgG, IgM and IgA profiles is the test of choice in the diagnosis of patients with brucellosis, especially those with chronic or CNS infection.

A concavity slide agglutination technique is described which compares favorably with the test tube agglutination method. The new method is based on the serological reactivity of heat-stable somatic "O" antigens, and gives satisfactory results; it is also timesaving.

A typing scheme for Clostridium difficile based on slide agglutination with rabbit antisera was previously described. It allows the differentiation of 10 serogroups designated A, B, C, D, F, G, H, I, K, and X. We studied the correlation between serogrouping and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) of whole-cell proteins. A total of 202 isolates from different sources were analyzed by PAGE after ultrasonic disintegration of cells from an 18-h liquid culture and treatment with sodium dodecyl sulfate and 2-mercaptoethanol. A total of 21 different patterns were observed. The reference strains from the 10 serogroups showed different profiles. For each serogroup except A, the patterns obtained with the clinical isolates were identical to the patterns obtained with the reference strains. For the 48 strains belonging to serogroup A, 12 different profiles were observed. Five of these involved strains isolated from patients with antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Typing by sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE thus correlates with serogrouping. In addition, it allows discrimination within the heterogeneous serogroup A.

Amniostat-FLM (AFLM) is an immunologic semi-quantitative slide agglutination test for determining the presence of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) in amniotic fluid. We analyzed 178 samples for the presence of PG by both AFLM and our standard thin-layer chromatographic technique (TLC). Both tests agreed in 135 of 178 cases. All fluids with a mature AFLM had PG detected by TLC assay. All of the 43 discordant samples were classified as immature by AFLM although PG was present by TLC. Among the 151 patients who delivered within 72 hours of amniocentesis, 17 cases of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) occurred. All were correctly predicted by immature tests. However, an immature AFLM was associated with RDS in only 21% of cases (11/53) while 37% of cases (17/46) with an immature TLC test resulted in neonates with RDS. We conclude that the AFLM is a very simple, rapid, and sensitive test for identifying infants who will develop RDS but is less specific than the TLC assay. Though a mature AFLM will predict fetal pulmonary maturity, an immature result should be confirmed by thin-layer chromatographic analysis.

Serum samples of 259 randomly selected slaughter pigs were studied comparatively in the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) and the slide agglutination test (SAT) for the presence of leptospiral antibodies. 12 of 13 serum samples with MAT titres of 1:400++ and higher were positive in the SAT. 27 of 46 sera with MAT titres in the borderline range (1:100++ to 1:400+) showed a positive reaction in the SAT. 31 of 200 serum samples with MAT titres of 1:100+ and less reacted also positively in the SAT. Statistical evaluation of the results showed that the SAT is accurate if results are positive but less so if the results are negative (sensitivity 92.3%, specificity 76.4%).

Serological properties of 96 strains of Pseudomonas anguillisepticu isolated from eels Anguilla japonica and A. anguilla were studied by agglutination tests with rabbit antisera. All strains tested were confirmed to possess a common heat-stable O-antigen. However, they could be divided into two antigenic types on the basis of the reaction to antisera produced by heat-killed cells (O-antisera). One type (Type I)was inagglutinable with O-antisera in unheated state, and this inagglutinability disappeared with a heat-treatment of 100°C-120 min or 121°C-30 min. Another (Type II) lacked such an inhibitory substance. This thermolabile agglutinationinhibitory antigen of P. anguilliseptica seems to be comparable to K-antigen known in the Coliform group. The existence of H-antigen was also demonstrated in both of the types. It was also confirmed that slide agglutination method was applicable to rapid identification of P. anguilliseptica.

The new extended biotyping scheme of Lior as well as the slide agglutination technique were applied to 209 strains of enteric Campylobacter isolated from children in Bangui (Central African Republic). Three biotypes of C. jejuni and 2 biotypes of C. coli were identified among the strains; 31.1 % were C. jejuni I, 11 % C. jejuni II, 2.4 % C. jejuni III, 44 % C. coli I and 11.5 % C. coli II. We were able to serotype 71.3 % of the strains with 20 immune sera prepared against strains of Campylobacter isolated previously; 63 % of the strains were distributed among the ten most common serogroups. No significant difference was observed in the distribution of biotypes or serogroups between strains from healthy and diarrhoeic children. Comparison of Lior serogroups with Penner serotypes showed that different Penner serotypes may correspond to a Lior serogroup and vice versa.

The majority of isolates of Aeromonas salmonicida, the causative organism of fish of urunculosis, from diseased fish are rough, that is auto-agglutinating. Therefore serological identifcation by the slide agglutination test may be diffcult to perform. The application of a coagglutination test, for fhe serological identification of auto-agglutinate A. salmonicida, was studied using staphylococci specifically sensitized with an antibody against the acterium. This proved to be a simple and rapid method for use in the laboratory and required no special apparatus. The procedure for this method is summarizde as follows. 1. A. salmonicida, cultured in nutrient broth, is heated in boiling water for 30min. 2. The supernatant is collected after centrefugation at 4000rpm for 20min. This may be omitted if auto-agglutination is recognized at the bottom of the culture tube. 3. One drop of the supernatant and one drop of anti-A. salmonicida antibody sensitized stapphylococci suspension are mixed on a glass slide and the slide is examined after 30min.

Nine monoclonal antibodies to Ogawa-specific antigenic determinants of Vibrio cholerae O1 and seven monoclonal antibodies to the Ogawa-Inaba common antigenic determinants were obtained. Specificities and reactivities were examined by slide or microdilution agglutination methods, along with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and immunoblotting analysis. In both the Ogawa-specific and Ogawa-Inaba common groups, it was revealed that there were two types of antibodies. One type showed strong agglutination with both live cells and heat-killed (100 degrees C for 30 min) cells in the microdilution agglutination test and in the slide agglutination test (type 1), while the other showed rather weak agglutination with heat-killed cells, especially in the slide agglutination test (type 2). Electronic measurement of agglutinates from these antibodies revealed that the size of aggregates varied. In the case of the type 2 antibodies, the size of aggregates obtained with heat-killed cells was smaller than those obtained with Formalin-killed cells. Results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and immunoblotting analysis showed that all 16 antibodies were to the lipopolysaccharide of V. cholerae O1.

The antiserum agar method (ASA), which is based on the formation of immunoprecipitates around bacterial growth on agar containing meningococcal hyperimmune horse serum, was evaluated for serogroup identification of Neisseria meningitidis. Four hundred meningococcal strains were serogrouped by ASA employing horse antisera to serogroups A, B, C, Y, W135, Z, and 29E and compared to serogroup identification by bacterial slide agglutination (BA) employing rabbit antisera. Overall, there was 95% agreement between the two methods. The ASA proved to be more accurate than BA since 15 strains which cross-reacted with Y and W135 rabbit antisera by BA were specifically serogrouped as either Y or W135 by ASA. In addition, 5 out of 75 strains which were ungroupable by BA were serogrouped as either B or 29E by ASA. Repeat serogroup identification of 100 meningococcal strains by ASA provided identical results thus showing the reproducibility of the method. The ASA is advantageous to BA since it is more reliable, utilizes standardized antisera which do not have to be absorbed to remove cross-reactions, does not require the preparation of standardized bacterial antigen, and is simple to perform.

Distribution of thermophilic campylobacter was investigated in the total of 700 wild birds living in urban areas of Japan and mountainous environments around the base of Mt. Fuji. Thermophilic campylobacters were isolated from 55 (7.9%) of the 700 birds. By species, they were detected in 51(13.5%) of 378 feral pigeons, 2 (2.4%) of 82 pintails and 3 (60.0%) of 5 sparrows. However, campylobacters were not isolated from other 235 wild birds consisting of swallows, sparrows caught at Sagamihara, black-tailed gulls, pintails caught at Tokyo, eastern turthledoves caught at Ebina and grey starling, brown thrush, narcissus flycatcher, etc. caught at Mt. Fuji. In pigeons, large differences were demonstrated in the detection rates of this bacterium depending on the site of capture and even among the groups captured in the same area, varying from zero to 50.0%. All the strains isolated from pigeons and sparrows were C. jejuni. Two strains isolated from pintails were identified to be C. coli, while no C. laridis was detected. Seventeen (34.7%) of 49 strains of C. jejuni isolated from feral pigeons and 2 strains (100.0%) from sparrows were serotyped into some of the author's serogroup system (TCK 1-TCK 32) by typing with slide agglutination. Especially TCK 20 was frequently found in feral pigeons. Two strains of C. coli isolated from pintails were not serotyped by any of the antisera to C. jejuni.

A monoclonal antibody method was used as a primary O serotyping method for 1084 isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, using commercially available antibody reagents in slide agglutination tests with whole-cell antigen. Differences in distribution of serogroups were found between various hospitals in the district. Serotyping provided useful information in the investigation of suspected incidents of cross-infection. Colonization at multiple sites, or over periods of time, in a single patient usually involved only a single serogroup.

Amniostat-FLM, a new rapid slide agglutination test, was compared with thin-layer chromatography as a method for detecting phosphatidylglycerol in amniotic fluid. This is the first reported use of Amniostat-FLM to evaluate vaginal pool and contaminated vaginal pool amniotic fluid. One hundred one of 161 amniotic fluid samples were collected from the vaginal pool. Thirty-nine of these were contaminated. Vaginal pool amniotic fluid, whether contaminated or not, did not adversely effect the ease of performance, reliability, or interpretation of Amniostat-FLM. This test seems ideally suited to institutions where 24-hour availability of thin-layer chromatography is not available. In institutions where it is available, Amniostat-FLM could be used as a screening test. Amniostat-FLM was found to be significantly less sensitive when compared with thin-layer chromatography in detecting the presence of phosphatidylglycerol. At our institution the screening of amniotic fluid samples with Amniostat-FLM before use of thin-layer chromatography was only cost effective at greater than or equal to 34 weeks of gestation.

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.)

1. Many of the strains were members of the "15-17-18-19-23-30 complex," in which cross reactions are frequent. 2. Granularity of the cultures was common: the appearance of spontaneous agglutination interfered with readings when this occurred. 3. Many cultures failed to type at all, even though they were subcultured and tested 10 or even 20 times. 4. Many cultures failed to give positive reactions when first tested, though positive reactions were frequently obtained after the strain had been subcultured several times.

Examination of 2098 samples of soil and organic debris from the southeastern United States utilizing the intravenous mouse inoculation technique resulted in the isolation of 128 strains of Cryptococcus neoformans. The incidence of the fungus in specimens from the various habitats sampled were as follows: pigeon habitats 50%, rabbit pens 14·7%, abandoned urban and rural houses 10·2%, animal barns and associated structures 7·4%, tobacco-curing barns 6·4% and poultry habitats 2·1%. Various unsheltered animal habitats, bird roosts and collections of organic debris did not reveal the presence of the fungus.When 95 of these isolates were serotyped employing a slide agglutination test, 91 were type A, 1 was type C and 3 were non-typeable. The significance of these findings as related to human infections is discussed.

Antisera obtained from rabbits immunized with heated cells of Candida curvata or Cryptococcus neoformans are useful for the presumptive identification of Cryptococcus species by means of the slide agglutination method. Furthermore, C. neoformans can be identified serologically by combined use of two absorbed sera, e.g. C. neoformans antiserum absorbed with heated cells of Candida humicola plus Candida curvata antiserum absorbed with heated cells of C. neoformans.

Summary A milk ring test, using a haematoxylin-stained antigen of Str. agalactiae strain S 13 is described. The test detected agglutinins in the milk of five cows experimentally infected with strain S 13, and was not inferior to a whey slide agglutination test for this purpose. When compared with standard Brucella ring antigen the streptococcal antigen appeared to the species-specific.

Antigenic analyses of 4 species of Torulopsis were carried out by the slide agglutination method using monospecific and absorbed antisera homologous to antigens of the genus Candida. The antigenic structure of each species was confirmed by reciprocal or successive absorption and slide agglutination test. Torulopsis stellata var. cambresieri and T. colliculosa possess the thermostable antigens 1, 3, 4 and 24, but no thermolabile antigen. Their antigenic structures were identical to those of Saccharomyces rosei and S. fermentati, respectively, despite the biological differences among them. Torulopsis holmii has thermostable antigens 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10 and 26, but no thermolabile antigen. The antigenic structure of this species is similar to that of S. exiguus. Torulopsis glabrata contains the thermostable antigens 1, 3, 6, 10 and 34, and thermolabile antigen k. In a comparative study, the antigenic structures of many strains coincided with those of the standard when they were analyzed with monospecific antis...