Cell envelope protein profiles of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus strains isolated in hospitals.

The cell envelope protein patterns of 78 strains of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, mainly isolated in hospitals, were analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The patterns were stable and reproducible. Comparison of the protein profiles made possible differentiation between two groups of strains. The patterns of the first group could be classified on the basis of concordance. Some profiles appeared to be associated with the epidemiological origin of the strains. The second group consisted of strains with unique patterns which could not be classified. Comparison of SDS-PAGE patterns appears to be a suitable method for the relative classification of A. calcoaceticus strains of nosocomial origin.