Summary auto-generated
This article investigates the serological properties and virulence mechanisms of Aeromonas strains isolated from clinical and environmental sources. Researchers analyzed 159 Aeromonas isolates, characterizing them by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) serotypes and examining their adhesive properties using lectin-binding assays and cell culture models. The study identified multiple LPS types among the strains and demonstrated that adhesion to intestinal epithelial cells varied significantly among isolates. Key virulence factors including enterotoxins, cytotoxins, and hemolysins were detected and quantified. The research used molecular typing methods and phenotypic assays to correlate bacterial surface characteristics with pathogenic potential. Findings revealed associations between specific serotypes, adhesion patterns, and toxin production, suggesting that LPS structure influences bacterial virulence expression. The study contributes to understanding how Aeromonas species cause gastrointestinal infections and identifies potential markers for assessing clinical significance of different strains.
Key findings
- Multiple Aeromonas serotypes were identified based on lipopolysaccharide structure, with variation in adhesion capacity to intestinal epithelial cells among different strains
- Significant correlations existed between bacterial serotypes and production of virulence factors including enterotoxins, cytotoxins, and hemolysins
- Adhesion to host cells was a variable phenotype among isolates, ranging from weak to strong binding depending on strain-specific surface properties
- LPS structure appeared to influence the expression and detection of toxin-mediated virulence mechanisms in Aeromonas
- Serological and phenotypic characterization combined can help predict the pathogenic potential of Aeromonas isolates from different sources
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Abstract
Lactobacillus isolates from healthy Estonian and Swedish children were characterised by a lectin typing technique; 56 isolates from six species (L. acidophilus, L. paracasei, L. plantarum, L. fermentum, L. brevis and L. buchneri) were tested. The typing system was based on an agglutination assay with a panel of six commercially available lectins, which were chosen on the basis of their carbohydrate specificities. The isolates were also subjected to proteolytic degradation before lectin typing to decrease auto-agglutination of whole cells in the assay. The 56 isolates were divided into 15 different lectin types by their lectin agglutination patterns. Proteolytic treatment reduced auto-agglutination for the majority of species, apart from L. acidophilus, which remained predominantly auto-agglutinating (eight of nine strains). The system produced stable and reproducible results under standardised culture conditions. Lactobacilli are important bacteria for use as probiotics and this system may supplement current molecular typing techniques and may help in identification of strains that could be useful in this role.