Characterization and distribution of the hemagglutinins produced by Vibrio cholerae

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Abstract
Examination of the distribution of cell-associated and soluble hemagglutinins (HA) produced by V. cholerae revealed the existance of 4 different HA. A cell-associated mannose-sensitive HA (MSHA) was produced only by the El Tor biotype. This was evident with all El Tor strains examined. It appears to be responsible for the HA biotyping differentiation of El Tor from classical biotype V. cholerae. The MSHA had no apparent divalent ion requirement; it was inhibited by D-mannose and D-fructose; it was active on all human (A, B, O) and all chicken erythrocytes tested. Spontaneous MSHA- mutants of El Tor strains were selected by cosedimentation of MSHA+ parent bacteria with erythrocytes. An L-fucose-sensitive HA was detected transiently in early lophase growth with 2 of the 4 classical strains examined and with MSHA- mutants of El Tor biotype strains 3083, 26-3 and 17. MSHA- mutants also expressed another cell-associated HA in late log-phase cultures. A soluble HA was detected in late log-phase cultures of all strains tested. This HA was not inhibitable by any sugars tested; it required CA2+ ions for maximum activity; it was active on some chicken erythrocytes but not others.