Mechanism of antigenic variation in Shigella flexneri. II. Sensitivity to complement as a selection factor for...

In the first report we stated that the antigenic mutant of Shigella flexneri 6713 3b serovar with antigenic formula III: 3, 4, 6 was less sensitive to bactericidal action of normal calf serum in comparison to its parent strain S. flexneri 6713 1b with antigenic formula III: 3, 4, 6. In this paper we show that the phenomenon is rather a general one; the difference in sensitivity was observed in three other strains S. flexneri 1b of independent clinical origin and its antigenic mutants 3b respectively. As the result of serial treatment of these strain with the serum among the survivors the antigenic mutants have been found. In the artificial mixtures of the mutants and isogenic original strains treated with the serum the later show clear cut higher survival.