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Capsular Hyaluronic Acid-Mediated Adhesion Of Pasteurella Multocida To Turkey Air Sac Macrophages, Ingrid M. Pruimboom, Richard B. Rimler, Mark R. Ackermann, Kim A. Brogden

Mark R. Ackermann

Serogroup A strains of Pasteurella multocida, the major cause of fowl cholera, are resistant to phagocytosis in nonimmunized birds. Adherence studies with a capsulated strain of P multocida (serotype A:3) and turkey air sac macrophages in culture showed that the bacteria were capable of adhering in large numbers to the macrophages but were not internalized. A noncapsulated variant of the bacteria (serotype -:3) showed little or no adherence and was not internalized. These data indicated that the adhesive properties were caused by the presence of a capsule on the bacteria. The role of capsular hyaluronic acid in adherence to macrophages …