The relationship between Ca2+-dependent cell surface components of Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viciae, motility, and ability to attach to pea root hair tips was investigated. In contrast to flagella and lipopolysaccharide, a small protein located on the cell surface was identified as the Ca2+-dependent adhesin.

Haemophilus parainfluenzae synthesizes an outer membrane protein adhesin which mediates binding to oral streptococci, salivary pellicle, and neuraminidase-treated erythrocytes. An indirect gold labeling technique and immunoelectron microscopy verified the location of this outer membrane protein. Further, a clustering of gold particles was observed in irregular patches at the cell surface.

Clinical isolates of fimbriated and nonfimbriated Klebsiella pneumoniae were examined for the ability to adhere to hamster tracheal cells cultured in vitro. Fimbriated-phase K. pneumoniae adhered preferentially to ciliated cells, whereas nonfimbriated-phase organisms were not adherent. The adherence was inhibited by D-mannose but not D-glucose, suggesting that type 1 fimbriae serve as the adhes...

Filamentous structures designated Triton shells were obtained from virulent Mycoplasma pneumoniae by treatment with Triton X-100. Monoclonal antibodies directed against M. pneumoniae were used in conjunction with radioimmunoprecipitation and Western blotting to detect immunologically reactive polypeptides in Triton shells. The major adhesin, protein P1, was associated with these structures.

In a cross-sectional fecal prevalence survey involving 49 residents of a Veterans Affairs nursing home, 59% of subjects were colonized with extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC), 22% were colonized with adhesin-positive E. coli, and 51% were colonized with fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli. Among 80 unique isolates, adhesins correlated negatively and aerobactin correlated positive...