Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 19, 2025
Author Spotlight: Expanding the Scope of Multiplex Immunoassays for Lyme Borreliosis Diagnostics and Pathogen Research
Published on: July 14, 2023
The prevailing O serogroups among the serologically differentiated clinical Proteus spp. strains in central Poland
Dominika Drzewiecka1, Agata Palusiak2, Małgorzata Siwińska2
1Department of Biology of Bacteria, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland. dominika.drzewiecka@biol.uni.lodz.pl.
Abstract:
In the years 2006-2011, 617 Proteus spp. strains isolated mostly from urine and wounds or other clinical sources were collected in Łódź, Poland, to determine the offensive O serotypes frequently occurring among patients. P. mirabilis exhibited the most intensive swarming growth and was dominating species (86.9%), followed by P. genomospecies, P. vulgaris, and P. penneri. Ninety four per cent strains were recognized as S (smooth) forms. Serological studies (involving ELISA-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting using native and adsorbed rabbit antisera) enabled classification of 80% S isolates into respective Proteus O serogroups among the 83 ones, described so far. The remaining strains seemed to be serologically unique. Despite the observed big serological variety of Proteus spp. isolates, we found the O78 serogroup recently described in Poland as dominating and identified other widespread serotypes: O3, O6, O10, O11, O27, O28, and O30 reported earlier as predominating also in other countries; O77 and O79 detected lately in Poland; O16, O18, O20, and O50. No unique structural feature of the prevalent O serotypes has been indicated. However, the prevalence of some O serogroups indicates that particular serotypes may be in some ways beneficial to the strains producing these kinds of O antigen.
Insights
This study identified dominant Proteus O serotypes in Poland from 2006-2011. Serogroup O78 was most common, alongside other prevalent serotypes like O3 and O6, suggesting potential benefits for these strains.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Immunology
Background:
- Proteus species are significant opportunistic pathogens, frequently isolated from clinical samples like urine and wounds.
- Understanding the serological diversity of Proteus strains is crucial for epidemiological surveillance and infection control.
- Previous studies have indicated geographical variations in the prevalence of Proteus O serotypes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the predominant O serotypes of Proteus species isolated from clinical sources in Łódź, Poland, between 2006 and 2011.
- To investigate the serological classification of these isolates using advanced immunological techniques.
- To identify any potential associations between specific O serotypes and strain prevalence.
Main Methods:
- Collection and isolation of 617 Proteus spp. strains from clinical specimens.
- Identification of bacterial species, with a focus on Proteus mirabilis.
- Serological characterization using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting.
- Classification of isolates into known Proteus O serogroups.
Main Results:
- Proteus mirabilis was the dominant species (86.9%), followed by other Proteus genomospecies, P. vulgaris, and P. penneri.
- Ninety-four percent of strains were smooth (S) forms, amenable to serological typing.
- 80% of S isolates were classified into 83 described Proteus O serogroups, with serogroup O78 being the most prevalent in Poland.
- Other frequently identified serotypes included O3, O6, O10, O11, O27, O28, O30, O77, O79, O16, O18, O20, and O50.
Conclusions:
- A significant serological diversity exists within Proteus spp. clinical isolates in Poland.
- Serogroup O78, along with other previously identified widespread serotypes, dominates the Proteus population in this region.
- The prevalence of specific O serogroups may confer advantages to the producing strains, warranting further investigation into their functional roles.
