Biology Assignment 3

Roll No: 19B030017 Name: Nitish Goel D3/T5

What is Serotype?
A serotype, or serovar, refers to a distinct variation in bacteria, viruses or immune

Cells of individuals, which are categorised based on the antigens bound to the

subject’s surface. A group of serotypes with common antigens is called a serogroup

or sometimes serocomplex.

Serotyping plays an important role in determining particular species under a genus.

1a/1b=serotypes 2a/2b=antigens 3a/3b=antibodies

Antigens
Antigens are any substance which the activates immune system to mount an
offensive on the external agent which has the antigen. The body generates B cells
and T cells to counter these agents, each of these cells having different targets. The
antigens themselves are acted upon by antibodies, which bind to the antigens.

Antibody antigen interactions are highly specific; one type of antibody can bind to
only one kind of antigen. The basic structure of antibodies, or immunoglobins are
the same, consisting of four polypeptide chains held together in a Y-shape by
disulphide linkages. The differences arises in the different variable chains, which
have antigen specific binding sites.

Hence when a foreign body enters our system, antigen-specific antibodies are
generated that binds to antigens of foreign body and renders it inactive.
Salmonella Antigen (Serotype)
Salmonella species possess
three maintypes of
antigens that include:

H (flagellar antigen/proteins)

Here, the Salmonella is characterized by 2 H antigens that may occur on either or

both phases (Phase 1 and Phase 2). Here, the organism is also capable of changing
between phases from one to another. For those that express one of the antigens
only, they may either be motile or non-motile.

* Salmonella serotypes (entericaserovars) that have similar antigenic specificity are

known as monophasic (E.g. Typhi).

* Salmonella serotypes/serovars with two H antigenic specificities are referred to as

diphasic (e.g. Typhimurium).

O (somatic antigen)

This particular antigen is located on the outer membrane surface (outermost part of
the lipopolysaccharide). This sugar molecule (lipopolysaccharide) is an important
virulence factor and is therefore an important factor in the determination of the
serotype.

An example of this is the Salmonella enterica subspecies 1 serovar Typhimurium

which infects the human gut and is responsible for various diarrheal infections across
the globe.

Vi (capsular)

Only a few organisms possess the antigen Vi. Compared to other antigens, Vi is a
superficial antigen that overlies the O antigen. As such, it can be described as an
additional antigen in that it is an addition to O antigen. The antigen is the
determining characteristic of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi that causes typhoid
fever in humans.

* Once the antigen has been identified, Kauffman-White referencing category is

used to identify the antigenic formula of the serotype.

* A majority of serotypes have the H antigen (about 1800 serovars).

* Using specific cultures, the strain of the organism can be determined. Once the
isolates have been identified, polyvalent and monovalent antisera can be used to
test for agglutination and thus determine the antigen.