Correction to: Nature Microbiology https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-017-0033-2 (2017); published online 9 October 2017.

The original version of this Letter has been modified in the abstract and main text to better reflect the distribution of Neu5Ac sialoglycans in humans. Additionally, co-author Lingquan Deng’s present address has been further clarified.