Haemagglutinins and Fimbriae in Different Serotypes and Biotypes of Yersinia enterocolitica |
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| Authors: | R. M. MACLAGAN D. C. OLD |
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| Affiliation: | Department of Bacteriology, University of Dundee Medical School, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee DD1 9SY, U.K. |
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| Abstract: | When cultured in static broth at 20°C, 46 of 115 strains of Yersinia enterocolitica , diverse in biotype and serotype, produced a broad-spectrum mannose-resistant (MR) adhesin that agglutinated the erythrocytes of all of 10 animal species examined. The production of haemagglutinin (HA) was associated with the presence of fimbriae of S nm diameter. Culture of HA+ strains at 37° resulted in the disappearance of haemagglutinating ability and loss of fimbrial production. Strains of Y. enterocolitica with K1 antigen produced an MR adhesin that agglutinated only fowl erythrocytes and was associated with fimbriae of 4–4.5 nm diameter. None of 14 strains of Y. pseudotuberculosis was haemagglutinating. |
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