KauffmannWhite

KauffmannWhite refers to the Kauffmann-White serotyping scheme, a standardized method for classifying Salmonella enterica isolates into serovars based on their surface antigens. The scheme relies on somatic (O) antigens and flagellar (H) antigens, with some reference to the Vi capsular antigen in Salmonella Typhi and related serovars. Serovars are named according to their distinctive antigenic combinations, and results are reported as Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar X.

The typing process uses slide or tube agglutination tests with antisera directed against known O and H antigens. By testing an isolate against a panel of antisera, laboratories generate an antigenic formula that identifies its serovar within the scheme. The method has been foundational for epidemiology, outbreak investigations, and surveillance, providing a consistent framework for comparing strains across laboratories and over time.

Historical and ongoing developments have led to the broader Kauffmann-White-Le Minor system, which harmonizes and expands the original scheme with updated antigen panels and nomenclature. While molecular typing methods such as PCR and whole-genome sequencing increasingly supplement serotyping, KauffmannWhite remains widely used in clinical and veterinary microbiology for routine identification and public health reporting.

Limitations include reliance on extensive antisera and skilled interpretation, potential cross-reactions, and phase variation of H antigens that can complicate results. Additionally, molecular methods may offer higher resolution for differentiating closely related strains, but serotyping continues to provide a practical, internationally recognized framework for Salmonella classification.