E. coli H antisera
The H antigen in E. coli is a surface antigen and is responsible for the bacterium’s motility. It can also function as an adhesin. Although the genetic potential for H antigen expression may be present, actual expression is conditional and varies in quantity.
For reliable H serotyping, only strains with confirmed motility should be used, and conditions should be optimized to induce maximal flagella expression.
Product description
H antisera are polyclonal antibodies produced in rabbits. All H antisera are purified to remove all known cross-reactions and are therefore characterized as monospecific. Cross-reactions with O antigens can occur if the reaction is read after the recommended two hours.
How to use
H antisera are used for agglutination of cultures in Widal tubes . Equal quantities of antiserum and culture are mixed, and the reaction can be read after approximately 2 hours in a 56 °C water bath.
Product range
SSI Diagnostica Group sells H antisera against all 53 defined H serotypes. H antisera are available both as pools (A-F) and as individual antisera, H1-H56 (H13, H22 and H50 have been withdrawn from the H typing classification1 ).
Please note that all available E.coli H antisera products are restricted (also indicated by R mark in the table), indicating the potential need for a forecast, minimum order or extra fee. Please contact us via the contact form if you have an inquiry for one of these products.
H pool antisera
| Article number | Product | Reacts with antigen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| R | 54386 | Pool A | H1,H2,H3,H4,H12,H17 |
| R | 54388 | Pool B | H5,H6,H7,H8,H11,H21 |
| R | 54390 | Pool C | H9,H10,H14,H15,H16,H51,H52 |
| R | 54392 | Pool D | H18,H19,H20,H23,H24,H25,H53,H56 |
| R | 54394 | Pool E | H26,H27,H28,H30,H31,H32,H45,H48,H49,H54,H55 |
| R | 54396 | Pool F | H29,H33,H34,H35,H36,H37,H38,H39,H40,H41,H42,H43,H44,H46,H47 |
H single antisera
| Article number | Product | Incl. in pool | |
|---|---|---|---|
| R | 54397 | H1 | A |
| R | 54399 | H2 | A |
| R | 54400 | H3 | A |
| R | 54401 | H4 | A |
| R | 54402 | H5 | B |
| R | 54404 | H6 | B |
| R | 54406 | H7 | B |
| R | 54407 | H8 | B |
| R | 54409 | H9 | C |
| R | 54410 | H10 | C |
| R | 54412 | H11 | B |
| R | 54414 | H12 | A |
| R | 54416 | H14 | C |
| R | 54417 | H15 | C |
| R | 54419 | H16 | C |
| R | 54421 | H17 | A |
| R | 54422 | H18 | D |
| R | 54424 | H19 | D |
| R | 54425 | H20 | D |
| R | 54426 | H21 | B |
| R | 54427 | H23 | D |
| R | 54429 | H24 | D |
| R | 54430 | H25 | D |
| R | 54431 | H26 | E |
| R | 54433 | H27 | E |
| R | 54434 | H28 | E |
| R | 54435 | H29 | F |
| R | 54438 | H30 | E |
| R | 54440 | H31 | E |
| R | 54441 | H32 | E |
| R | 54442 | H33 | F |
| R | 54444 | H34 | F |
| R | 54446 | H35 | F |
| R | 54447 | H36 | F |
| R | 54449 | H37 | F |
| R | 54454 | H38 | F |
| R | 54455 | H39 | F |
| R | 54456 | H40 | F |
| R | 54458 | H41 | F |
| R | 54459 | H42 | F |
| R | 54461 | H43 | F |
| R | 54463 | H44 | F |
| R | 54464 | H45 | E |
| R | 54466 | H46 | F |
| R | 54467 | H47 | F |
| R | 54469 | H48 | E |
| R | 54470 | H49 | E |
| R | 54472 | H51 | C |
| R | 54473 | H52 | C |
| R | 54475 | H53 | D |
| R | 54476 | H54 | E |
| R | 54477 | H55 | E |
| R | 54479 | H56 | D |
Reference
- Standard Operation Procedures for O & H serotyping and reference strains, Appendix 1, accessed 13/11/2025 ↩︎
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FAQ:
Restricted products (indicated by the R mark in the product tables) have the potential need for a forecast, minimum order, or extra fee. Please contact us via the contact form if you have an inquiry about one of these products.
In rare cases, O antibodies can agglutinate during an H serotyping. H antiserum is not absorbed for O antibodies. In doubt, gently shake the Widal glass: H agglutinations are very sensitive and will vanish; O agglutinations are more stable and persist.