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Attachment of Burkholderia pseudomallei to pharyngeal epithelial cells: a highly pathogenic bacteria with low

K Ahmed1, H D Enciso, H Masaki

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Japan.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
|February 13, 1999
PubMed

Insights

This study investigated Burkholderia pseudomallei attachment to pharyngeal cells, finding a very low attachment efficiency. The capsular polysaccharide layer, not fimbriae, appears to mediate this bacterial interaction.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Respiratory infections begin with bacterial attachment to pharyngeal epithelial cells.
  • Understanding bacterial adhesion mechanisms is crucial for developing effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the attachment of Burkholderia pseudomallei to human pharyngeal epithelial cells.
  • To determine the factors influencing bacterial attachment efficiency and the role of surface structures.

Main Methods:

  • Quantification of attached Burkholderia pseudomallei to pharyngeal cells under varying conditions (washes, cell/bacterial concentrations, incubation times).
  • Electron microscopy to examine bacterial surface structures, specifically looking for fimbriae and polysaccharide layers.
  • Experiments conducted using pharyngeal cells from multiple donors to assess variability.

Main Results:

  • A very low attachment efficiency of Burkholderia pseudomallei to pharyngeal cells was observed (mean 7.0+/-3.3 bacteria/cell).
  • Attachment decreased significantly with increased washing steps, indicating relatively weak adhesion.
  • Electron microscopy revealed no fimbriae, but a thin capsular polysaccharide layer on the bacterial surface, suggesting its role in attachment.

Conclusions:

  • The attachment of Burkholderia pseudomallei to pharyngeal epithelial cells is inefficient.
  • The capsular polysaccharide layer is likely the primary structure mediating bacterial attachment.
  • These findings provide insights into the initial steps of respiratory infection by this pathogen.

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