[Aspects of Vibrio cholerae lipopolysaccharide]

In this review information on the chemical structure, biosynthesis, antigenic and biological properties of V. cholerae lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is presented. The specific structural feature of this LPS is a small size of the polysaccharide chain of O-antigen. In vibrios of serogroup O 139 it is oligosaccharide. The modification of the O-chain (methylation of individual sugars, shortened chain, etc.) plays an essential role in the antigenic specificity of V. cholerae LPS. All these factors affect of endotoxin function, the microbial resistance to external influences. V. cholerae LPS takes part in the formation of microcapsules and biofilms. The evolutional development of V. cholerae in this direction determines, to some extent, their increased resistance in the environment. In human body the heterogeneity of the LPS composition permits the preservation of vibrios and ensures, together with cholerogen, their pathogenetic action.