[Gram-negative virulent bacterial lipopolysaccharide: role in infection and immunity]

The paper discusses the data available in the literature on the studies on lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of bacteria which show their different virulence. A comparative study of the chemical composition and structure of LPS of the bacteria fails to detect any great difference, but they differ in their biological, especially immunobiological properties. It is suggested that the differences are associated with LPS conformation, chiefly its lipid moiety and ion-coordinating processes and free radical reactions are involved in the conformation. Examining just these phenomena may made advances in further studies of virulent bacterial LPS and possibilities of its use while designing new-generation vaccines.