INDUCTION OF FIMBRIATED VIBRIO-CHOLERAE O139

Several fimbriated phases of Vibrio cholerae O139 strains were selecti vely induced and compared immuno-logically and biochemically with thos e of V. cholerae O1. Fimbrial antigens were detected on the surfaces o f vibrio cells colonizing the epithelial cells of a rabbit small intes tine, Convalescent-phase sera from six individuals infected with V. ch olerae O139 revealed the development of antibody against the fimbrilli n. These findings suggest that the fimbriae of V. cholerae O1 and O139 are expressed in vivo during infection and that consideration must be given to the use of fimbrial antigens as components of vaccines again st cholera.