ELLNER, PAUL D. (University of Vermont, Burlington), AND STANLEY S. GREEN. Serology of the soluble antigens of the pathogenic clostridia.

The problem of whether Clostridium sordellii should be assigned species status or be retained as a pathogenic variant of C. bifermentans is a perplexing one. Despite marked similarities in morphology, colony formation, and biochemical reactions (Clark and Hall,

By use of the soluble antigens of ten species of pathogenic clostridia and specific globulins, it has been possible to divide these organisms into a number of groups based upon the presence or absence of precipitin lines in agar gel. A scheme for such a grouping is presented, and the utility of this method is discussed.