PA-I AND PA-II LECTIN INTERACTIONS WITH THE ABO(H)-BLOOD AND P-BLOOD GROUP GLYCOSPHINGOLIPID ANTIGENS MAY CONTRIBUTE TO THE BROAD-SPECTRUM ADHERENCE OF PSEUDOMONAS-AERUGINOSA TO HUMAN TISSUES IN SECONDARY INFECTIONS

Pseudomonas aeruginosa may cause serious infections in most human tiss ues/organs. Its adherence to them is mediated by a battery of adhesins including the PA-I and PA-II lectins, which are produced in this bact erium in high quantities. PA-I binds to the D-galactose of the erythro cyte glycosphingolipids exhibiting highest affinities for B and P-k (f ollowed by P-1) antigens, while PA-II preferentially binds to the L-fu cose of H, A and B antigens. Intact P. aeruginosa cells also exhibit a clear P-k and P-1 over p preference. Such affinities for the most com mon human ABH and P system antigens may underlie the widespread tissue infectivity and pathogenicity of this bacterium.