Electron microscopic description of glycocalyx and fimbriae on the surface of Pasteurella haemolytica-A1.

DW Morck, TJ Raybould, SD Acres… - Canadian journal of …, 1987 - ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
DW Morck, TJ Raybould, SD Acres, LA Babiuk, J Nelligan, JW Costerton
Canadian journal of veterinary research, 1987ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Several electron microscopic techniques were used to examine the surface of cells of
Pasteurella haemolytica (biotype A, serotype 1) grown in vitro. All methods showed the
presence of a very extensive glycocalyx on logarithmic phase (6 h) cells grown in liquid
media. The anionic glycocalyx of these cells stained well with ruthenium red, but collapsed
during dehydration for electron microscopy unless stabilized with specific antibodies. When
the same techniques were used to examine cells in the stationary phase (18 h) the …
Abstract
Several electron microscopic techniques were used to examine the surface of cells of Pasteurella haemolytica (biotype A, serotype 1) grown in vitro. All methods showed the presence of a very extensive glycocalyx on logarithmic phase (6 h) cells grown in liquid media. The anionic glycocalyx of these cells stained well with ruthenium red, but collapsed during dehydration for electron microscopy unless stabilized with specific antibodies. When the same techniques were used to examine cells in the stationary phase (18 h) the glycocalyx was much reduced. Large numbers of fimbriae were seen on both 6 h and 18 h cells grown in fluid media without shaking. In summary, logarithmic phase cells of P. haemolytica have both fimbriae and extensive anionic glycocalyx at their surface and we suggest that either or both of these structures may be important in the colonization of the bovine respiratory tract and the subsequent pathogenesis of Pasteurella pneumonia.
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