ABSTRACT
AIM: Study adhesive activity of enterobacteria in the model of hemagglutination reaction with animal and avian erythrocytes and clarify structures responsible for adhesion in enterobacteria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 58 cultures of enterobacteria were used, of which: 21 Escherichia coli strains, 13 Citrobacter spp., 11 Morganella morganii, 9 Proteus spp., 4 Hafnia alvei. Erythrocytes of various animals and birds were used in hemagglutination reaction. Electron-microscopical studies were carried out in JEM-100B (Japan) electron microscope. RESULTS: Use of avian erythrocytes as a target of adhesion determination, compared with animal erythrocytes, has shown that bacteria can cause D-mannose-sensitive hemagglutination reaction, linked with the presence of 110 - 420 nm long and 5.0 - 5.4 nm wide cilia in the microorganisms. CONCLUSION: Adhesion of enterobacteria was shown to be a complex process, depending on the presence of certain fimbrial structures, use of those results in specific interaction of the microbe with certain host cell receptors. Avian erythrocytes are a model target cells.