Demonstration of common antigens on cell surface of Clostridium chauvoei and C. septicum by indirect-immunofluorescence assay.

The common antigens between Clostridium chauvoei and C. septicum were examined by indirect-immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Antisera to formalized cells of C. chauvoei and C. septicum strains and to EDTA-soluble antigens of these strains were used. The antisera to formalized cells, which have reacted only with homologous antigens in agglutination tests, reacted not only with homologous antigens but also with heterologous antigens in IFA. The antisera to EDTA-soluble antigens, which have shown no reactivities in somatic agglutination tests, reached with both homologous and heterologous antigens in IFA. These results indicate that these species possess common antigens, which are undetected by agglutination tests, on the cell surface and a some of them are solubilized by EDTA-treatment.