ADHESION OF VIBRIO-CHOLERAE O139 TO ISOLATED RABBIT INTESTINAL EPITHELIAL-CELLS IN-VITRO

The adhesive capability of four clinical isolates of Vibrio cholerae O 139 strains to isolated rabbit intestinal epithelial cells (RIEC) in v itro was high. The monosaccharides D-glucosamine, N-acetyl-D-glucosami ne, D-mannose and L-fucose strongly inhibited the adhesion of bacteria to RIEC. Pretreatment of the bacterial cells or RIEC with Concanavali n A or lectins from Triticum vulgaris or Ulex europaeus also inhibited adhesion. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) isolated from the homologous strai n was also able to inhibit adhesion. The data indicate that the adhesi on of V. cholerae O139 to RIEC is achieved through bacterial surface l ectins which interact with specific sugar molecules on the intestine a nd also through bacterial LPS which bind to the tissue receptor(s).