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Prevotella intermedia fimbriae mediate hemagglutination
K P Leung1, H Fukushima, W E Nesbitt
1Periodontal Disease Research Center and Department of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610, USA.
Oral Microbiology and Immunology
|February 1, 1996
Summary
Prevotella intermedia fimbriae, hair-like surface structures, cause hemagglutination by binding to red blood cells. These fimbriae are responsible for the bacteria's ability to clump various mammalian erythrocytes.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Immunology
Background:
- Clinical Prevotella intermedia strains possess fimbriae (surface appendages).
- These bacteria exhibit hemagglutinating activity, potentially due to surface structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if the fimbriae of Prevotella intermedia are responsible for its hemagglutinating activity.
Main Methods:
- Mechanical shearing and purification of fimbriae from Prevotella intermedia.
- Assessing hemagglutinating activity of whole cells and isolated fimbriae.
- Enzyme, heat, and pH treatments to characterize activity.
- Antibody inhibition assays and immunoelectron microscopy.
Main Results:
- Isolated Prevotella intermedia fimbriae exhibited hemagglutinating activity.
- Activity was sensitive to proteases and heat, with optimal pH at 7.0.
- Fimbriae were shown to bind to rabbit erythrocytes, and antibodies inhibited this interaction.
Conclusions:
- The hemagglutination exhibited by Prevotella intermedia is attributable to its fimbriae.
- Fimbriae play a role in the interaction between Prevotella intermedia and erythrocytes.