Factors affecting the colonization of isolated rabbit intestinal epithelial cells by Vibrio cholerae 01 in vitro

The adhesive capability of Vibrio cholerae 01 strains to isolated rabbit intestinal epithelial cells was maximally expressed when the bacteria were grown in synthetic broth and was enhanced by the presence of Ca2+ in the growth media. N-Acetyl-D-glucosamine could inhibit the adhesion of the bacteria to rabbit intestinal epithelial cells as could lipopolysaccharide O-antigen from Vibrio cholerae 01 and lectin from Triticum vulgaris. Since the lipopolysaccharide is known to contain N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and because the lectin from Triticum vulgaris shows specificity for this sugar, it is probable that N-acetyl-D-glucosamine is actively involved in the adhesion of Vibrio cholerae 01 to isolated rabbit intestinal epithelial cells.