Typing Methods forProteus rettgeri: Comparison ofBiotype, Antibiograms, Serotype, andBacteriocin Production

indicator strains were evaluated, and16were selected forthefinal schemeandusedtotypethe205P. rettgeri, which were divided into15bacteriocin types. Serologically, 43%oftheP. rettgeri were042,13%were untypable, 4%were 015,and3%eachwere 033,064, and084inaddition to31remaining serotypes. Strains ofP.rettgeri fromknown outbreaks contained fewerbiotypes, 0 groups,andbacteriocin typesandwere more resistant toantimicrobial agents thanendemic strains. Strains with common patterns withall fourmarker systems were frequently associated withoutbreaks. A strongcorrelation between multiple antibiotic resistance andbacteriocin production was shown. Nosocomial infections withProteus arenow well documented. Prevalence surveys ofProteus infections havedocumented thenosocomial natureofthese infections andtheir relationship to urinary tract instrumentation, thecompromised host, andantimicrobial drugusage (2, 4,5,8,43). Themostfrequently recovered species inmost hospitals isProteus mirabilis; thus, mostepidemiological investigations ofnosocomial infection problems havebeenmadewiththis species. AllProteus species caninfect theurinary tract (4,16-18, 69), andserious infections havebeen