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A highly discriminatory multi-typing scheme for Proteus mirabilis and Proteus vulgaris
Abstract:
Strains of Proteus mirabilis and P. vulgaris isolated in England, Scotland and Sweden were characterised by proticine production-proticine sensitivity (P-S) typing, O serotyping and Dienes typing methods. The determinants of O antigenicity were independent of those determining proticine production and proticine sensitivity. Because of this independence, the combination of P-S typing and O serotyping for the analysis of the 133 serotypable strains separated them into 81 distinct types whereas P-S typing and O serotyping methods alone separated them into only 56 and 19 types respectively. There was a relationship between the Dienes type and the P-S type; the determinants of Dienes compatibility were the proticine production-proticine sensitivity characters. The determinants of O antigenicity appeared to play no role in the Dienes reaction. Some strains that were indistinguishable by P-S typing and O serotyping methods were distinguished by Dienes typing.
Insights
This study characterizes Proteus strains using proticine typing, O serotyping, and Dienes typing. Combining methods enhances strain differentiation, revealing relationships between typing methods for Proteus identification.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Immunology
Background:
- Proteus species are significant human pathogens.
- Accurate strain characterization is crucial for epidemiological studies and infection control.
- Existing typing methods may have limitations in differentiating closely related strains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize Proteus mirabilis and Proteus vulgaris strains from distinct geographical locations.
- To evaluate the discriminatory power of combining proticine production-proticine sensitivity (P-S) typing, O serotyping, and Dienes typing.
- To investigate the relationships between these different typing methods.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and characterization of Proteus strains from England, Scotland, and Sweden.
- Application of proticine production-proticine sensitivity (P-S) typing.
- Implementation of O serotyping.
- Utilisation of Dienes typing for assessing bacterial compatibility.
Main Results:
- The determinants of O antigenicity were found to be independent of proticine production and sensitivity.
- Combining P-S typing and O serotyping increased strain differentiation, identifying 81 distinct types from 133 serotypable strains.
- A strong relationship was observed between Dienes type and P-S type, indicating proticine characters determine Dienes compatibility.
- O antigenicity did not influence Dienes reactions.
- Dienes typing distinguished strains that were otherwise indistinguishable by P-S and O serotyping.
Conclusions:
- Combined application of P-S typing, O serotyping, and Dienes typing offers enhanced discriminatory power for Proteus strain characterization.
- Proticine production and sensitivity are key determinants of Dienes compatibility in Proteus.
- Dienes typing provides valuable complementary information to P-S and O serotyping for resolving strain identity.