Preparation of antisera against PEtN modification on O-antigen of Shigella flexneri

Objective To prepare specific antisera against PEtN modification on O-antigen of Shigella flexneri. Methods The strain 036_Yv carrying opt gene responding for PEtN modification on O-antigen was used to immunize rabbits to prepare antisera. After adsorbed using the host strain 036, the antisera was tested by slide agglutination assay by using 135 S. flexneri strains of different serotypes. Results The prepared antisera could specially agglutinate with S. flexneri strains with PEtN modification on O-antigen, and the agglutination titer was 1:32. Apart from serotype Xv, 4av and Yv, the antisera could not react with strains of other serotypes, indicating high specificity. Conclusion The specific antisera against PEtN modification on O-antigen of S. flexneri was successfully prepared, which can be used in Shigella detection and surveillance.