[O-antigen determination and identification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (author's transl)].

The quality of the morphological-biochemical identification of P. aeruginosa affects the results of group determination with anti-O-sera (Institute Pasteur Production) to a great extent. Out of 563 isolates classified as P. aeruginosa on the basis of colony morphology, haemolysis, pigment formation, odor, gramstaining and oxidase test, 84,2% react with one monovalent antiserum. Out of 498 strains which are more exactly identified by additional use of the Oxi/Ferm tube-system (Hoffmann-La Roche), 94,0% are clearly to be grouped. The O-antigen determination is not appropriate for inter-species differentiation of P. aeruginosa, due to common antigens with P. aeruginosa related species.