Characterisation of a Fimbrial, Mannose-Resistant and Eluting Haemagglutinin (MREHA) Produced by Strains of Salmonella of Serotype Sendai

Abstract

Summary. Strains of Salmonella of serotype Sendai, producing a mannose-resistant and eluting haemagglutinin (MREHA) when cultured at 37°C but not at 18"C, were examined by electronmicroscopy after negative staining. Production of this MREHA, previously thought to be nonfimbrial, was correlated with the presence of thick fimbriae with an external diameter of 13.6 nm. These fimbriae were readily fragmented and, when purified, had an estimated M, of 28 Kda. Production of fimbrial MREHA by Sendai strains was associated with the ability to adhere to a wide range of substrates and to form a fimbrial pellicle at the surface of liquid media incubated statically in air. The origin of this unusual Sendai fimbrial MREHA is unknown. Thin filamentous structures produced independently of fimbrial MREHA by Sendai strains were also described. Fimbrial MREHA was not produced by strains of the antigenically similar serotype Miami which, however, and unlike Sendai strains, formed mannose-sensitive haemagglutinin and type-1 fimbriae. The ability to differentiate strains of Miami and Sendai (serotype I,9,12 : a : 13) by means of their fimbriae is noted.

Adherence and Pathogenesis of Salmonella enteritidis in Mice

“…The minor proteins of the fimbriae mediate the binding of organism to a D-mannose residue on the host cells and hemagglutinate red blood cells (rbc) from variety of sources especially those of the horse and guinea pig in a D-mannose sensitive (MS) manner (9,12). Some strains of salmonella also possess thin fimbriae which may or may not be serologically related to type 3 fimbriae of strains of Enterobacteriaceae and like type 3 fimbriae they also mediate a mannose resistant hemagglutination of the tannic acid-treated rbc (21).…”