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

West and Edwards first established an antigenic scheme comprising 32 O-serogroups for Citrobacter in 1954, which was extended to 43 O-serogroups in 1966 by Sedlak and Slajsova. In 2018, Qian C, et al. determined the location of O-antigen gene clusters (O-AGC) in Citrobacter genome and its function by deletion and complementation testing. Using whole-genome sequencing, the team obtained 18 O-AGCs (O3-O9, O12, O14, O16, O22-O24, O26, O30, O32, O38, and O41) and established a valid, genome-based tool for in silico serotyping of Citrobacter.

Additional Information

NA

Literature

Qian C, Du Y, Li H, et al. Development of rapid and simple experimental and in silico serotyping systems for Citrobacter. Future Microbiol. 2018;13(13):1511-1522. doi:10.2217/fmb-2018-0187

WEST MG, EDWARDS PR. The Bethesda-Ballerup group of paracolon bacteria. Public Health Monogr. 1954;22:1-35.

Sedlák J, Slajsová M. Antigenstruktur und Antigenbeziehungen der Gattung Citrobacter [Antigen structure and antigenic relationships of the species Citrobacter]. Zentralbl Bakteriol Orig. 1966;200(3):369-374.