The Prevailing O Serogroups Among the Serologically Differentiated Clinical Proteus Spp. Strains in Poland

Abstract

In the years 2006-2011, 617 Proteus spp. strains isolated mostly from urine and wounds or other clinical sources from infected individuals were collected in Łódź, Poland. P. mirabilis species was dominating (86.9%), followed by P. genomospecies, P. vulgaris , and P. penneri . Ninety four per cent strains were recognized as S (smooth) forms. P. mirabilis exhibited the most intensive swarming growth. Serological studies (involving ELISA – enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting using native and adsorbed rabbit antisera) enabled classification of 80% S isolates into respective Proteus O serogroups among the 83 ones, described so far. The remaining strains seemed to be serologically unique. Detailed serological analysis confirmed that the recently described in Poland O78 serogroup is the most widespread. Also, 14 other serogroups have been found to predominate, being represented by ten or more strains. No unique structural feature of the prevalent O serotypes has been indicated. The observed big serological variety may suggest a low rate of Proteus spp. strains’ transmission between patients or rapid changes in their lipopolysaccharides. However, the prevalence of some O serogroups indicates that particular serotypes may be in some ways beneficial to the strains producing these kinds of O antigen.