serotype/strain definition

[biology_06er]

Hi there,

Sorry if this seems like a dumb question but I want to make sure I have the correct meaning of the word "serotype" and "strain"

Ok, so when talking about streptococcus A...many M type proteins exist..M1, M3, M6 etc...hence various SEROTYPES...but a STRAIN is a genetic variant within that serotype...eg..M3 has strains A, B, C where A expresses protein X, B expresses protein Y and C expresses protein Z.

Have I got this correct?

Thanks,
b_06er

[canalon]

Yes.

Basically everytime I isolate a strain from a different environment, I will call it a new isolate. I can study its serotype and plenty of other characteristics, but as long as each isolation has been independant, they are different

[JackBean]

so serotype is superior to strain?

[canalon]

Define superior?
But yes, there can be multiple strains of the same serotype, just like you have multiple serotype of the same species.

[JackBean]

like genus is superior to species