Active immunization of NMRI mice against Serratia marcescens.

Phenol-hot water lipopolysaccharide (LPS) extracts of Serratia marcescens strains CDC O3:H1, CDC O6:H3, NEW CDC O14:H12, and SH 186 (serotype O6/O14:H12) significantly protected NMRI mice against intraperitoneal challenge with the more mouse virulent homologous strains; overall, there was moderate cross-protection against the minority of heterologous challenge strains. Trichloroacetic acid LPS extracts and K-antigen extracts of strains NEW CDC O14:H12 and SH 186 also proved protective antigens. The purified metalloproteases of strains SH 186 and SF 178 (serotype O6/O14:H12) effected active murine immunization. Neither active nor passive immunization of NMRI mice with E. coli Rc mutant J5 afforded significant protection against various challenge strains of S. marcescens.