Fibronectin and laminin binding of eighteen Clostridium species

The ability of Clostridium difficile, Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium sporogenes and fifteen other Clostridium species to bind to human serum fibronectin or laminin was tested by using protein-coated latex particles. Three groups of Clostridium species were formed, namely the pseudomembranous colitis-causing species Clostridium difficile, the gas gangrene-causing Clostridium species and other Clostridium species, which are infrequently found in human infections. Significantly more strains of gas gangrene-causing Clostridium species, and strains of Clostridium species other than Clostridium difficile recognized fibronectin or laminin than did Clostridium difficile. Experiments with monoclonal antibodies revealed the specificity of the bacterial binding to fibronectin or laminin.