Demonstration of K88ac and K88ab antigens of Escherichia coli by means of immunoelectrophoresis and immunodiffusion.

Five strains of Escherichia coli were tested for the presence of the K88ac or K88ab antigens by immunoelectrophoresis and immunodiffusion. The K88ac antigen of 0A2 and Sojka Abbotstown gave an anodic line in the immunoelectrophoresis test and a line in immunodiffusion with homologous K88ac antisera. The K88ab antigens of 0G7, 0E68, and Moon 263 also gave anodic lines in immunoelectrophoresis, and were detectable by immunodiffusions. The 0 groups of these strains were also demonstrated by immunoelectrophoresis and immunodiffusion with homologous 0 antisera. Lack of complete inactivation at 100 degrees C of both the K88ac and K88ab antigens was noted in this study.