Evaluation of commercial Salmonella O polyvalent and Vi antisera

Salmonella somatic polyvalent antisera for groups A through E or A through I with or without Vi and Salmonella Vi antisera were purchased from four commercial producers and evaluated. Center for Disease Control (CDC) methods and specifications were used. The four polyvalent and two of the four Vi antisera did not meet CDC performance specifications. Suggestions are made for improving the laboratory usefulness of the reagents and the product labeling.