Abstract
The ability of 30 isolates of Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis to haemagglutinate erythrocytes of five species was examined. Two haemagglutination phenotypes of M. catarrhalis were observed: phenotype I isolates (n = 10) agglutinated human erythrocytes, while phenotype II isolates (n = 7) agglutinated both human and rabbit erythrocytes. No haemagglutination was observed with chick, sheep or horse erythrocytes. Haemagglutination by both phenotype I and II isolates was abolished following treatment of these isolates with pronase and trypsin, while heat treatment at 70°C markedly reduced the level of haemagglutination by both sets of isolates. Haemagglutination by phenotype II isolates was inhibited by galactose, whereas haemagglutination by phenotype I isolates was not inhibited by this carbohydrate. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies showed that very close cell-surface interactions occurred when both phenotypes of M. catarrhalis adhered to the human erythrocyte. Fimbrial attachment was not apparent. Haemagglutinating isolates of both phenotppes had a trypsin-sensitive outer fibrillar coat when examined by TEM.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 257-262 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | British Journal of Biomedical Science |
Volume | 53 |
Issue number | 4 |
State | Published - Dec 1996 |
Keywords
- Haemagglutination
- Haemagglutinin
- Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis
- Transmission electron microscopy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Clinical Biochemistry
- Microbiology (medical)
- Biochemistry, medical
- Infectious Diseases