Publication: Role of pili in the virulence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Issued Date
1973-12-01
Resource Type
ISSN
00199567
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-0015864116
Rights
Mahidol University
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Infection and Immunity. Vol.8, No.2 (1973), 255-263
Suggested Citation
A. P. Punsalang, W. D. Sawyer Role of pili in the virulence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Infection and Immunity. Vol.8, No.2 (1973), 255-263. Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/10131
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Authors
Journal Issue
Thesis
Title
Role of pili in the virulence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Gonococci of the colonial types that are associated with virulence, types 1 and 2, have pili that enable the bacteria both to attach in vitro to human epithelial cells and to resist phagocytosis by polymorphonuclear leukocytes. These piliated gonococci also agglutinate various mammalian and chicken erythrocytes. Gonococci of an avirulent colonial type, i.e. type 4, have no pili and neither attach to epithelial cells or erythrocytes nor resist phagocytosis. Like the type 4 bacteria, mechanically or enzymatically (trypsin) depiliated type 1 gonococci failed to attach to epithelial cells and erythrocytes and were susceptible to phagocytosis. Pili of types 1 and 2 gonococci were antigenically similar. Both type 1 gonococci and pili isolated from them induced in rabbit antibody that (i) precipitated gonococcal pili in immunodiffusion, (ii) reacted with piliated gonococci as tested by indirect immunofluorescent analysis, (iii) inhibited attachment of piliated gonococci to both human epithelial cells and erythrocytes, and (iv) opsonized piliated gonococci.
