Serological studies on British leptospiral isolates of the Sejroe serogroup. I. The identification of British isolates of the Sejroe serogroup by the cross agglutinin absorption test.

Using the cross agglutinin absorption test 12 British leptospiral isolates of the Sejroe serogroup were identified to serovar level. Six strains isolated from cattle, two from pigs and one from a human were identified as Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo. Two isolates from wildlife were identified as Leptospira interrogans serovar saxkoebing. One further strain isolated from wildlife closely resembled serovar saxkoebing, but specific identification was not possible. These are the first reported isolations of serovar saxkoebing in the United Kingdom. The problems associated with the cross agglutinin absorption test, and possible alternative typing procedures are discussed.