A mechanised microtechnique for salmonella serotyping.

In the reference laboratory complete serological identification of salmonella requires the identification of 59 'O' (somatic) and 87 'H' (flagellar) antigens. When large numbers of strains are studied mechanisation of the serological techniques would be advantageous. Normally, slide and tube agglutination methods are used,' 2 and the latter is an essential confirmatory test. The antisera used are costly to produce, and although a mechanised system based on tube agglutination could be developed, an alternative system using smaller volumes of antisera would be preferable. A technique using microagglutination trays combined with a mechanised system to dispense antisera and suspensions is described.