Fimbrial and Non-Fimbrial Haemagglutinins in Enterobacter Aerogenes

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Abstract
Ten strains of E. aerogenes were examined for their ability to produce hemagglutinins and fimbriae. Nine strains formed a mannose-sensitive (MS) hemagglutinin associated with thin (4 nm) non-channelled fimbriae. These thin fimbriae of E. aerogenes were antigenically different from the thin fimbriae of other fimbriate strains of Enterobacter and Klebsiella and probably represent a new kind of fimbria not previously described in Enterobacteriaceae. Eight of these same 9 strains also formed a non-fimbrial mannose-resistant, proteus-like (MR/P) hemagglutinin. The formation of this fimbriae associated with MS hemagglutinin and of non-fimbrial MR/P hemagglutinin are properties not associated with other strains of Enterobacter and Klebsiella. E. aerogenes strain NCIB11460 was unusual among the strains examined in this series in that it alone produced mannose-resistant, Klebsiella-like (MR/K) hemagglutinin and type-3 fimbriae which, as judged by immunoEM were antigenically like those of type-3 fimbriate Klebsiella strains. The identifying characteristics of this exceptional strain of E. aerogenes are discussed in detail. All 10 strains also produced thick fimbriae which by immunoEM behaved like the type-1 fimbriae of Klebsiella strains. Correlation between their presence and the production of MS hemagglutinin in E. aerogenes was not established. The findings are discussed in the light of the present difficult taxonomic status of E. aerogenes within the tribe Klebsielleae.