Agglutination and Dissociation Studies with Lactobacilli

Abstract

By direct agglutination and agglutinin-absorption, S strains of L. acidophilus cross-agglutinated and cross-absorbed with S strains of L. bulgaricus. The same was true of R forms; in each so-called sp., they were serologically distinct from their corresponding S forms. 2 S oral strains were closely related to the S intestinal strains, but serologically were not completely identical with them. Dissociation from R to S occurs spontaneously with lactobacilli. Various methods were employed to force dissociation from S to R, with incomplete success from a serological point of view. Partially dissociated or unstable strains may exhibit a morphology which does not correspond to their serological character, or they may retain agglutinative properties of both R and S.