The serology of Pseudomonas aeruginosa analysed by means of quantitative immunoelectrophoretic methods. III. Reproducibility of a polyvalent P. aeruginosa reference standard-antigen

The reproducibility of a polyvalent Pseudomonas aeruginosa antigen (St-Ag) composed of a mixture of antigens from 4 O groups of this bacterium has been studied. Ten batches of St-Ag were produced, and each of these and each of the 10 batches of antigens from the 4 strains of P. aeruginosa were compared with St-Ag batch 1 by means of quantitative immunoelectrophoretic methods and a polyvalent antiserum (St-Ab) raised against St-Ag. Fifty-three of the 55 antigens of St-Ag were stable and could be reproduced with reasonable precision in all 10 batches, and 3 of the 4 strains of P. aeruginosa were stable in antigen composition in all batches. One of the strains (0-5A) had lost 2 antigens in the last 5 batches, and the concentrations of 7 other antigens were simultaneously changed, reflecting a smooth-rough dissociation. The disappearance of the 2 antigens in the latest 5 batches of 0-5A was also reflected in similar changes in the antigen composition of the latest 5 batches of St-Ag.