Serotypes and Serogroup in Microbiology
A serotype or serovar is a distinct variation within a species of bacteria or virus or among the immune cells of different individuals. Microorganisms, viruses, or cells are classified together based on their cell surface antigens, allowing the epidemiologic classification of organisms to the subspecies level. Microorganisms of a given serotype are classified together based on "cell surface" antigens, allowing the epidemiological classification of organisms that is more specific than the species level. Antigens are surface proteins that based on its location on the organism are classified as types O, H and K. Serotype biology does vary with the organism category and includes the location of the antigens on the bacteria as well as the complexity and number of serotypes.
A group of serotypes with common antigens is called a serogroup or sometimes serocomplex. An example of this is the Salmonella enterica subsp. arizonae (organism) (ConceptID 397502001) which infects the human gut and is responsible for various diarrheal infections across globally.