THE HEMAGGLUTININ OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS-SAPROPHYTICUS IS A MAJOR ADHESIN FOR UROEPITHELIAL CELLS

The 160-kDa hemagglutinin of Staphylococcus saprophyticus also serves as a fibronectin-binding protein, and the two activities may be presen t on different parts of the molecule. Bacteria expressing the 160-kDa hemagglutinin bound in large numbers to histological sections of human ureters, whereas nonhemagglutinating bacteria did not bind. Binding w as decreased by an antiserum to the 160-kDa protein and by a preparati on of sheep erythrocyte membranes. Fibronectin had no effect. We there fore conclude that binding of S. saprophyticus to uroepithelial cells is mediated by the hemagglutinating activity of the 160-kDa surface pr otein.