A NEW SEROTYPE OF ESCHERICHIA COLI POSSESSING IDENTICAL O ANTIGENS AS SHIGELLA FLEXNERI 2b AND VARIANT X, AND ITS SEROLOGICAL VARIATION

Abstract

A new serotype of Escherichia coli, possessing the identical O antigens to those of Shigella flexneri 2b and its serological variant, which has the identical O antigens with Sh. flexneri variant X, were described.
The basic feature of the variation was a sort of loss in their O antigens which is accompanied by some qualitative changes in factors of their O antigens. This was considered to be quite similar to the form variation frequently seen in Sh. flexneri cultures.
An important role of this variation in the serology of E. coli has been discussed.