Abstract
Bacterial adherence to epithelial surfaces may play a role in the colonization and pathogenesis of bacterial infections. Using fluorescent antibody and radiolabeled methods, we have demonstrated that H. influenzae non-typeable (HiNT) adhere more readily to buccal epithelial cells (BEC) than do H.influenzae b (Hib). The adherence or non-adherence of Hib strains was not influenced by BEC source (different adult donors) or site (pharyngeal,nasal or buccal) of the same adult donor,antibiotics or heat-treatment of BEC. One percent mannose, ribose and dextrose inhibited the adherence of the one adherent Hib strain (throat).
BEC from 10 asymptomatic children, 8 with confirmed systemic Hib disease,and 10 with symptomatic respiratory infections (URI) were studied using one adherent and three non-adherent Hib strains (2-CSF, 1 ear). Nasal cultures for viruses were positive in 1/10 with URI. The throat strain adhered equally to BEC from all three groups and the non-adherent Hib strains did not adhere to the BEC from 10 control children, the 10 children with symptomatic URI and 7/8 children with confirmed Hib diseases. One child studied twice while asymptomatic and symptomatic (URI) showed no change in Hib adherence.
This diminished adherence of Hib strains to epithelial cells may be relevant to the invasiveness of Hib and to the pathogenesis of Hib infection.
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Lampe, R., Kaplan, S., Mason, E. et al. 1037 ADHERENCE OF HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE b TO EPITHELIAL CELLS OF CHILDREN. Pediatr Res 15 (Suppl 4), 615 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01063
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01063