Differentiation of Bacillus Anthracis and Other Bacillus Species by Use of Lectins
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis was agglutinated by several lectins, including those from Griffonia simplicifolia, Glycine max, Abrus precatorius, and Ricinus communis. Some strains of Bacillus cereus var. mycoides (B. mycoides) were strongly reactive with the lectin from Helix pomatia and weakly reactive with the Glycine max lectin. The differential interactions between Bacillus species and lectins afforded a means of distinguishing B. anthracis from other bacilli. B. cereus strains exhibited heterogeneity with respect to agglutination patterns by lectins, but could readily be differentiated from B. anthracis and the related B. mycoides. Spores of B. anthracis and B. mycoides retained lectin receptors, although the heating of spores or vegetative cells at 100 C resulted in a decrease in their ability to be specifically agglutinated. Fluorescein conjugated lectin of Glycine max stained vegetative cells of B. anthracis uniformly suggesting that the distribution of lectin receptors was continuous over the entire cellular surface. B. anthracis cells grown under conditions to promote the production of capsular poly (D-glutamyl peptide) were also readily, agglutinated by the lectins, suggesting that the lectin reactive sites penetrate the polypetide layer. Trypsin, subtilisin, lysozyme and mutanolysin did not modify the reactivity of B. anthracis with the Glycine max agglutinin, although the same enzymes markedly diminished the interaction between the lectin and B. mycoides.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 18, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA130634
Entities
People
- Hugh B. Cole
- John W. Ezzell Jr.
- Kenneth F. Keller
- Ronald J. Doyle
Organizations
- University of Louisville