Summary Sephadcx GlOO chromatography and preparative sodium dodeLylsulfate-polyacrylamldc gel elcclrophorosis(SDS-P,'\GE) using \6% polyacrylamide gels were used for the partial purification of 16-18 kDa proteins able to stimulate Salmonella cutcritulis llRX-priinud T cells of (BALB/cXC57BL/6J)Fl mice. . A soluble antigen (Ag)extract of S, cmmV/ffo 1 IRX (sl I RX) was used as the starting material for purification for two reasons. First, sl IRX had been previously shown lo induce in viira proliferation of Salnwiiclln-primcd T cells; second, initial analysis of SDS-P,\GE fractionated sl IRX Ag using the 'T eell western blot" technique indicated that T cell stimulatory activity was located only in Ihe 16-18 kDa region. The partially purified antigens were able to elicit delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions//) Wio, and stimulated in I77»Y> proliferation and interleukin-2 release from 1 IRX-primod T cells and Tceil lines and clones derived from these cells, indicating that they are major antigenic determinants of 5. enteritidis I IRX.Testingof l6-18kDa proteins of several other bacteria indicated that these antigens maybe "common" and expressed by a number of organisms belonging to the Enterohaeteriacae.