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Hemagglutination properties of Streptococcus suis
M Gottschalk1, A Lebrun, M Jacques
1Groupe de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses du Porc, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, St.-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada.
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|September 1, 1990
Summary
Streptococcus suis strains exhibit varied hemagglutination abilities, with some strains agglutinating erythrocytes from different animal species. This hemagglutination activity does not correlate with virulence or tissue origin and appears independent of hydrophobic interactions.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Veterinary Science
Background:
- Streptococcus suis is a significant bacterial pathogen in pigs and can cause zoonotic infections.
- Hemagglutination is a bacterial property that can be associated with virulence and host-cell interactions.
- Understanding the factors influencing Streptococcus suis hemagglutination is crucial for disease control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hemagglutination properties of various Streptococcus suis strains.
- To determine the correlation between hemagglutination activity, virulence, and cell surface characteristics.
- To explore the potential role of fimbriae in Streptococcus suis hemagglutination.
Main Methods:
- Testing hemagglutination of erythrocytes from different animal species using 49 Streptococcus suis strains (23 reference, 26 field isolates).
- Evaluating virulence of field isolates in 4-week-old mice.
- Assessing cell surface hydrophobicity.
- Microscopic examination for fimbriae.
Main Results:
- Ten distinct hemagglutination patterns were identified.
- 33% of strains showed hemagglutination activity against one or more erythrocyte types.
- No correlation was found between hemagglutination, tissue origin, or mouse virulence.
- All strains had hydrophilic cell surfaces, and fimbriae were observed in both hemagglutinating and non-hemagglutinating strains.
Conclusions:
- Certain Streptococcus suis strains possess hemagglutinating properties.
- Hemagglutination activity in Streptococcus suis is not linked to hydrophobic interactions.
- The role of fimbriae in Streptococcus suis hemagglutination remains undetermined.