Basic Info

Serotype prediction based on their surface antigens, such as O, H, and K antigens.

More Details

The serotype represents the genetic markers displayed by proteins in blood plasma. Due to the genetic polymorphism of some serum proteins, phenotypic differences arise among individuals. Therefore, serotyping has become an important classification method, especially for many foodborne microorganisms such as Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. This method is also widely used in epidemiological investigations. By determining the serotype of bacteria, we can provide a solid basis for antimicrobial therapy. Specifically, through in-depth analysis of the characteristics of bacterial somatic cells, such as the O antigen, cell surface proteins, H antigen, and K antigen, we can accurately classify bacteria based on their serotypes.

What's New

The genus Legionella encompasses at least 62 species with over 80 documented serogroups (SGs). Legionella pneumophila (L. pneumophila), responsible for 90% of legionellosis cases, contains 15 distinct SGs characterized by variations in their lipopolysaccharide (LPS) biosynthetic loci. Current serotyping of L. pneumophila identifies SG1 as the predominant clinical variant.

Additional Information

NA

Literature

Parte AC. LPSN--list of prokaryotic names with standing in nomenclature. Nucleic Acids Res. 2014;42(Database issue):D613-D616. doi:10.1093/nar/gkt1111

Nakaue R, Qin T, Morita M, et al. Development of a Multiplex-PCR Serotyping Assay for Characterizing Legionella pneumophila Serogroups Based on the Diversity of Lipopolysaccharide Biosynthetic Loci. J Clin Microbiol. 2021;59(11):e0015721. doi:10.1128/JCM.00157-21

Cao B, Tian Z, Wang S, et al. Structural comparison of O-antigen gene clusters of Legionella pneumophila and its application of a serogroup-specific multiplex PCR assay. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek. 2015;108(6):1405-1423. doi:10.1007/s10482-015-0594-0