A rapid coagglutination test for the detection and serogrouping of Legionellae.

The applicability of coagglutination for the rapid detection and serogrouping of Legionellae has been investigated. The coagglutination reaction is carried out with the aid of self-made preparations of protein A containing staphylococci, sensitized with specific antibodies against the antigens of L. pneumophila (serogroups I to 6), L.

Lytic activity of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus against bacteria of the family Legionellaceae.

A lytic activity of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus strains 6-5-S and 12 was found to be present, against representatives of three Legionella species: Legionella pneumophila-strains Knoxville 1 (serogroup 1), Togus 1 (serogroup 2), Bloomington 2 (serogroup 3) and Los Angeles 1 (serogroup 4); Legionella micdadei-strain Tatlock; Legionella bozemanii-strain Wiga, as well as against strains of Legionella pneumophila isolated in Bulgaria-Draginovo 1, 2, 3-belonging to serogroup 1. It is suggested that B. bacteriovorus participates in the self-purification of the environment from legionellae.

Isolation of Legionella pneumophila in Bulgaria.

Microorganisms have been isolated from water samples obtained from a small warm mineral lake. The growth, staining, biochemical and antigenic properties of the microorganisms suggest that they belong to legionella pneumophila serogroup 1. This is the first isolation of Legionella in Bulgaria.

Specific staining of bacilli by means of immuno-indian-ink method and immunofluorescent method.

The possibilities for identification of B. anthracis are investigated by means of the Immuno-Indian-ink method (IIIM) and the immunofluorescent method (IFM) in their direct and indirect modifications. The specifity of sera against noncapsulated cells of B.