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Expression of fimbriae and hemagglutination activity in Shigella boydii

A Utsunomiya1, M Nakamura, A Hamamoto

  • 1Animal Research Center for Infectious Tropical Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan. a-utsu@net.nagasaki-u.ac.jp

Microbiology and Immunology
|August 15, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Shigella boydii 5 possesses type 1 fimbriae, which are hair-like appendages responsible for mannose-sensitive adherence to guinea pig red blood cells. This discovery marks the first identification of these structures on S. boydii.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacterial Adherence Mechanisms

Background:

  • Shigella boydii is a Gram-negative bacterium responsible for shigellosis.
  • Bacterial fimbriae are crucial for host-pathogen interactions and colonization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and characteristics of fimbriae on Shigella boydii serotype 5.
  • To understand the adherence properties mediated by these fimbriae.

Main Methods:

  • Microscopy to determine fimbrial morphology and dimensions.
  • Erythrocyte agglutination assays to assess adherence properties.

Main Results:

  • Type 1 fimbriae were identified on Shigella boydii 5.
  • These fimbriae exhibited mannose-sensitive adherence to guinea pig erythrocytes.
  • Morphological analysis revealed thin, rigid cylinders (2-5 µm length, 35 nm diameter) with axial holes.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first evidence of type 1 fimbriae in Shigella boydii.
  • The identified fimbriae likely play a role in the initial stages of S. boydii adherence to host tissues.

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