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Abstract
SUMMARY: The surface structures and serological typing of 54 strains of Bacillus megaterium were examined and compared with strain M. Morphologically the strains could be divided into 2 groups on the basis of cell size, fat content and susceptibility to enzymes. Forty homologous immune sera were prepared in rabbits. On the basis of the capsular and cell-wall reactions, 38 distinct serological types were found. The arrangement of the polysaccharide and polypeptide material in the capsules is described. Agglutination reactions confirmed the heterogeneity of the polysaccharides in the cell wall and capsules of B. megaterium and demonstrated a further relationship between 3 of the strains, probably due to the flagellar antigen. Precipitin reactions carried out with the supernatant fluid from broth cultures or with cell-wall extracts showed a much broader specificity.
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