[Hemagglutinating properties of Proteus mirabilis strains isolated from clinical specimens].

Haemagglutinating properties of 345 P. mirabilis strains isolated from various clinical samples were determined. Red blood cells of different origin as human group 0, bovine, horse, sheep and rat were used for the study. For the detection of MS and MR/P haemagglutinins the haemagglutination reaction was run with and without D-mannose. On the other hand, for the detection of type MR/K haemagglutinins tanned human and bovine erythrocytes were used. The majority of tested strains (90.14%) was polyhaemagglutinating i.e. showed simultaneously the presence of two or three haemagglutinins. Only three strains of P. mirabilis (0.87%) did not agglutinate any of the erythrocytes used for the study. The majority of strains (95.83-100%) in specific groups of clinical materials showed the presence of MR/K+ while MR/P+ 45.45-93.75% of strains and MS+ 45.83-73.1% of tested strains. Out of P. mirabilis strains isolated from urine, faeces and blood the highest percentage possessed at the same time all three haemagglutinin types (MS+, MR/K+, MR/P+) or pattern MR/K+, MR/P+. Bronchial isolates had usually pattern MR/K+ (31.82%) and strains isolated from skin possessed haemagglutinins of pattern MR/K+, MR/P+ (50%) and MS+, MR/K+, MR/P+ (43.75%). Among strains expressing MR/P+ at 37 degrees C a great differentiation of spectrum activity against tested erythrocytes was seen. Undoubtedly, the majority of MR/P+ strains from specific groups of clinical materials (with the exception of urine) agglutinated sheep and horse erythrocytes with and without D-mannose. The majority of strains isolated from urine agglutinated sheep and bovine erythrocytes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)