Host-derived sialic acid is incorporated into Haemophilus influenzae lipopolysaccharide and is a major virulence factor in experimental otitis media.

ABSTRACT: Otitis media, a common and often recurrent bacterial infection of childhood, is a major reason for physician visits and the prescription of antimicrobials. Haemophilus influenzae is the cause of approximately 20% of episodes of bacterial otitis media, but most strains lack the capsule, a factor known to play a critical role in the virulence of strains causing invasive H. influenzae disease. Here we show that in capsule-deficient (nontypeable) strains, sialic acid, a terminal residue of the core sugars of H. influenzae lipopolysaccharide (LPS), is a critical virulence factor in the pathogenesis of experimental otitis media in chinchillas. We used five epidemiologically distinct H. influenzae isolates, representative of the genetic diversity of strains causing otitis media, to inoculate the

SUBMITTER: Bouchet V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC166410 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature