Patterns and properties of haemagglutinins expressed by Shigella serogroups in Lagos, Nigeria

Forty-five strains of Shigella were screened for haemagglutinin production and broad-spectrum haemagglutination reaction. Mannose-sensitive haemagglutinin (MSHA) was found in 22 strains [Shigella flexneri (7), S. dysenteriae (7), S. sonnei (3), and S. boydii (5)]. Eighteen strains harboured mannose-resistant haemagglutinin (MRHA), and 8 strains were observed to be non-haemagglutinating to guinea pig erythrocyte. With the exception of human erythrocytes (O, A, B, and AB), the observed MSHA and MRHA also agglutinated the erythrocytes of rabbit, sheep, rat, chicken, and horse, suggesting a broad-spectrum haemagglutinating property. Haemagglutinins of S. flexneri and S. dysenteriae elicited a relatively stronger haemagglutinating activity with agglutinability to chicken and rabbit erythrocytes enhanced by trypsinization. Haemagglutination reaction with guinea pig erythrocyte was generally inhibited by sialic acid, while simple sugars, such as D-glucose, D-galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine, N-acetylglucosamine, and D-rhamnose, elicited no inhibitory effect. The results of the study revealed broad-spectrum haemagglutinin expression by circulating Shigella strains in Nigeria.