Abstract
The antigenic scheme of Virbrio parahaemolyticus is composed of ten O antigen groups and 32 K antigens. Cross agglutination, and absorption and gel-diffusion tests indicated that the K antigens of different serotypes were, in general, not reciprocally related to each other. The presence of reciprocal relationships of K antigens was noted between K14 and K30, and between K3 and K27.
1) The K antigen of strain 5001-62 (O5:K14) was proved to be identical with that of strain Ta 5 (O3:K30). There was no reciprocal relationship, however, between the O antigens of these serotypes.
2) The K antigens of strain 5245-62 (O2:K3) and strain 5023-62 (O2:K27) showed a close relationship to each other, although each of them had properties specific to itself.
3) Strain Ta 2 (O2:K2) and strain 5171-62 (O5:K16) were found to be entirely lacking in K antigens and have only O antigens.
