[Comparative aspects of adhesion of group A and B streptococci to human epithelium]

The international and original research data on the adhesion of group A and B streptococci are over-viewed. Based on the conducted studies, a conclusion has been drawn on the polyfactor pattern of pathogenic streptococci adhesions. The polyfactor pattern of adhesion is manifested in (a) different ranges of tissue sensitivity to streptococci adhesion, (b) a correlation between the adhesiveness and particular phenotypes (M(+)-M-; OF(+)-OF- in group A streptococci, TSA(+)-TSA- in group B streptococci), (c) different sensitivity of adhesives to proteolytic enzymes, and (d) interaction with fibronectin. M-protein was found to be involved in specific pyogenic streptococcal adhesion to the pharyngeal epithelium, which opens up new vistas for the search of approaches to the prevention of mucosal colonization. The participation of lipoteichoic acid (LTA) in group A and B streptococci adhesion in different tissues was shown The involvement of proteins in group B streptococcal adhesion was suggested by indirect evidence, which needs to be confirmed by direct isolation of an adhesive. It is suggested, that different quantitative combinations as well as structural organization of protein complexes and LTA in the streptococcus cell wall may determine the strain and species specificity of pathogenic group A and B streptococci interaction with host tissues.