The O-specific polysaccharides of Hafnia alvei ATCC 13337 standard strain and 1187 strain have been isolated and characterized. By means of 1H-NMR spectroscopy, methylation analysis and periodate oxidation, the repeating unit of the polysaccharides could be allocated the respective structures. (formula; see text) where Acyl = D-3-hydroxybutyryl, and 3-O-acetylation was to about 66%. The structural similarity of the polysaccharides was confirmed in the serological study; their epitopes were determined and the importance of various structural elements for the serological specificity was discussed.