ALTERATION IN FLAGELLAR MORPHOLOGY INDUCED BY SPECIFIC ANTI-FLAGELLAR SERUM

Abstract
A strain of each of the major recognized types of bacterial flagellation was grown in broth containing specific rabbit antisera. Sera containing H antibodies caused a significant shortening or less of curvature, or both, of unagglutinated organisms. Specific anti-somatic (anti-O) serum and normal serum had no apparent effect on flagella morphology. Flagellar alteration resulted in transitory immobilization; this loss of mobility was dependent on the presence of specific flagellar antibody. It is possible that more than one antibody is associated with this phenomenon. The nature and significance of these observations are discussed.