Characterization of hemagglutinins in various fimbriae-types of Prevotella intermedia

Abstract

We examined hemagglutination activity of various fimbriae-types of Prevotella intermedia and characterized the hemagglutinins. Trypsin either eliminated or reduced the hemagglutination activities of 22 of the 25 strains examined. The remaining three strains were resistant to trypsin. Hemagglutination activity of these strains remained after exposure to heat at 60°C for 10 min, although it was either eliminated or reduced in the others. Of 17 sugars tested, only D-glucomamine caused hemagglutination inhibition of Prevotella intermedia, and this was in only two strains. D-Glucosamine-sensitive strains and trypsin-sensitive strains possessed type A or AL fimbriae. These results indicate that there are at least three different kinds of hemagglutinins on type A and AL fimbriae of Prevotella intermedia.