The Structure and Occurrence of Pili (Fimbriae) on Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Weiss, Richard L.

doi:10.1099/00221287-67-2-135

Cited by 50 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 9 publications

(4 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Previous studies of P. aeni^ino.m have sliown that piliatiou is maximum in the logaritlimie phase and deelines somewhat in the stationary phase (Weiss, 1971). Pili of Pscndomonas are easily distingnished from flagella in tiie electron mieroseope because of their .smaller diameter and lack of waves.…”

Section: Results Electron Microscope Survey Of Pilimentioning

confidence: 98%

“…2. Measurements of these pili showed a range of diameters (Weiss, 1971) with a mean value of about 6-0 nm. Bradley (1966) fonnd that tlie diameter of pili on P. aeruginosa observed by negative staining was about 4-5 nm, a value slightly less than that found here.…”

Section: Antibiotic Sensitivitymentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Cells in tlie logarithmic and .stationary pliase were examined by negative staining with pho.sphotiingstic acid for the presence of filamentou-s appendages other than flagella (Weiss, 1971).…”

Section: Examination Of Pilimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Early studies demonstrated that cell-to-eell eontaet involves pili, sinee cells with monopolar pili formed a stable star-shaped cluster (Heumann and Marx, 1964). More recently we have found that pili of Pseudomonas aeruginosa are associated with the fonnation of a eell network (Weiss, 1971).It is possible that such filaments are involved in establishing cliiiieal infections of Pseudomonas. With this possibility in mind we have examined twentytwo elinical isolates of P. aeruginosa witli the electron microsa)pc for the presence of pili.…”

mentioning

confidence: 97%

mentioning

confidence: 97%

See 4 more Smart Citations

THE STRUCTURE AND ISOLATION OF PILI (FIMBRIAE) OF PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA

Weiss

Raj

1972

Aust J Exp Biol Med

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Summary. Electron microscopic studies of pili were carried out on Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Flagella and pili were observed by negative staining and metal shadowing. Ultrathin sections of cells contained filaments that resembled pili. The isolation of pili was followed in the eleetron microscope by negative staining. The properties of isolated Pseudomonas pili were different fram those of type I Escherichia coli pili. A sur\-ey of twenty-two isolate.s of P. aeruginosa involved in clinical infections demonstrated the existence of pili on a high proportion (17/22) of the cultures. No correlation was found to exist between the possession of pili and antibiotic sensitivity. These pili are thought to be of signifieaneo in clinical infections of this organism.INTRODUCTION. Pih (fimbriae) are long thin appendage.s of the bacterial cell that have been seen in many species of bacteria (Wi.streich and Baker, 1971). Negative .staining provides a simple reliable method for oKserving these structures with tlie electron microscope. This method has been used to demonstrate that several speeies of P.seudomonas possess pili (Fuerst and Hayward. 1969). The distribution of these pili as polar or peritrichous depends on the individual species. Among cells with polar pili the distribntion may be monopolar or bipolar. Early studies demonstrated that cell-to-eell eontaet involves pili, sinee cells with monopolar pili formed a stable star-shaped cluster (Heumann and Marx, 1964). More recently we have found that pili of Pseudomonas aeruginosa are associated with the fonnation of a eell network (Weiss, 1971).It is possible that such filaments are involved in establishing cliiiieal infections of Pseudomonas. With this possibility in mind we have examined twentytwo elinical isolates of P. aeruginosa witli the electron microsa)pc for the presence of pili. We have tested the susceptibility of the isolates to various antibiotics in order to establish if any relationship exists between the possession of pili and antibiotic sensitivity. Tlie strnetnre of pili and the experimental conditions for their removal and isolation were also stndied.

show abstract

Section: Results Electron Microscope Survey Of Pilimentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Antibiotic Sensitivitymentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Examination Of Pilimentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 97%

mentioning

confidence: 97%

See 3 more Smart Citations

THE STRUCTURE AND ISOLATION OF PILI (FIMBRIAE) OF PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA

Weiss

Raj

1972

Aust J Exp Biol Med

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Electron microscopic observations of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Baechler

Berk

1974

J of Basic Microbiology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Preparative techniques were developed for t,he purpose of visualizing, by negative contrast, some of the cytological characteristics of unsectioned cells of Pseudontonas ueruginosa.Concent,rated fimbriae free from cells had a length of approximately 1.5 pm and a diameter of 6 nm. Pyocin-like stroct'ures ranging in lengt,li from 32-64 11111 with a width of S.6 nm were "attached" to the terminal ends of a sniall percentage of t,hese finibriae. Microtubules and ringlets having a diameter of 10-20 nm were also visualized in the bacteria. Budding or evagination of cell wall material in multiple units up to 135 nm in length was frequently obscrved in older cultures grown on agar media.Pseudomonas aeruginosu is a graiii negative, motile, polar flagellated bacterium of increasing medical importance. Previous cytological studies have indicated that this organisin contains microtubule-like structures termed rhapidosorries ( YAMAMOTO 1907, BAECIILER et al. 1972) and a number of different types of nieinbranous inclusions, some of which are suggestive of iiiesosoiiies (CARRICK and BERK 1971). I n addition, several reports of one or more types of finihriae have been described for this bacteria (FUERST and HAYWARD , WEISS 1971, BRADLEY 1972.Preparative technicpes developed for the purpose of visualizing internal structures such as rhapidosonies inside unsectioned cells by negative contrast (BAECHLER and BERK 1972) have fortuitously exposed other cytological features such as discrete ringlets or spherical units, evaginations, and specific extrusions associated with autolysis. Consequently, the purpose of this manuscript is t o present sonic cytological features of P. aeruginosa which have not been previously described. Material and methodsOiganism: The strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa employed for this study was originally a hospit,al isolate maintained in the culture collect.ion of the Department of Microbiology, Wayne State university, School of Medicine. This strain was auto-plaque positive and was designated C,AP+ by BERK (1966).Cnlture medium: Agar slants and plates contained 1.50,.6 (w/v) Bacto agar (DIFCO). The broth media consisted of 2% tryptone, 1% glucose, and 0.504 sodium chloride. The cultures were incubated a t 26 "C or 37 "C for various time periods. Prior to electron microscopy studies, agar slant cultures, incubated more than 72 h., were lightly washed with 0.02 M tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane (Tris-HC!) buffer, p H 7.8, containing 0.02 M MgCI, t'o selectively remove the older, autolyzed surface cells.Electron microscopy: Agar blocks (1.5%) of 1.5 cm2x0.5 cm were placed on the end of glass slides. A droplet of the specimen was placed on the surface of the agar and the majority of t'he water and salts was absorbed into i t leaving the specimen in a thin film of moisture 19*

show abstract

Electron microscopic observations ofPseudomonas aeruginosa

Baechler¹,

Berk²

1974

Z Allg Mikrobiol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Structure and Occurrence of Pili (Fimbriae) on Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Cited by 50 publications

References 9 publications

THE STRUCTURE AND ISOLATION OF PILI (FIMBRIAE) OF PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA

THE STRUCTURE AND ISOLATION OF PILI (FIMBRIAE) OF PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA

Electron microscopic observations of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Electron microscopic observations ofPseudomonas aeruginosa

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About