Extended serotyping scheme for Vibrio anguillarum with the definition and characterization of seven provisional O-serogroups

The present paper summarizes the serotyping scheme of the fish pathogenic b acterium Vibrio anguillarum and defines seven additional O-serogroups. Stra ins, collected in our laboratories that were nontypable with antisera again st the previously defined 16 O-serotypes, were used for generating new anti sera and were characterized further by means of LPS profiles, Western blots , and serological reactions. On the basis of the results, it is suggested t hat the seven new O-serogroups are to be included in the existing serotypin g system as serotypes O17-O23. However, the existence of further V. anguill arum strains that were not typable with any of the 23 O-antisera suggested the existence of additional O-serotypes within this species. The relevance of the description of additional O-serotypes for the species V. anguillarum is discussed.