Serological difference between Erwinia herbicola strains of plant and human origin

Fifty Erwinia herbicola isolates obtained from host plants were examined in an agglutination reaction with antiserum prepared against E. ananas (E. herbicola) strain CCM 2407 antigen of plant origin and with antiserum prepared against Enterobacter agglomerans strain CNCTC M 269 antigen of human origin. In tests with strain CCM 2407 antiserum, 56% isolates showed a positive reaction, while in tests with strain CNCTC M 269 antiserum only 14% isolates showed a positive reaction. Among E. herbicola isolates which showed a positive reaction with CCM 2407 antiserum 18% showed a positive reaction with the CNCTC M 269 antiserum too. Our results confirmed the serological heterogeneity of E. herbicola population. In spite of the difference in the origin of the two antigens used for the preparation of antisera (plant, human; Japan, Czech Republic) our results indicate that some of our E. herbicola strains and E. agglomerans strain CNCTC M 269 are serologically identical.