Brucella phagotypes: their relation to the spread of infection in Italy.

The spread of Brucella infection in man in Italy during the last three years is briefly reviewed with reference to the Brucella strains collected and typed. The strains were tested by H2S production, dye-inhibition, agglutination by monospecific sera, and sensitivity to a phage set. From 108 tested strains, 91 have been identified by means of the traditional tests as Br. melitensis, sometimes with some irregularities, 10 as Br. abortus, while 7 were not typable. It was possible to recommend some phage sensitivity patterns of Br. melitensis for epidemiological purposes: one phagotype is much more frequent in the north, another in the south of Italy. However, the currently recommended phagotypes must be considered provisional and will be modified in the light of more extensive studies.