Evidence for the Presence of Fimbriae (Pili) on Vibrio Species

Abstract

Three strains of Vibrio agglutinated both guinea-pig and human red cells. The vibrios differed in hemag-glutination tests from firobriated enterobacteria by showing only partial inhibition by mannose and by agglutinating guinea-pig and human red cells equally well. Electron microscopy of the vibrios revealed filamentous appendages which resembled the common fimbriae of Escherichia coli in having average diameters between 6 and 10 mu and being more numerous on organisms from liquid than from solid media. The fimbriae on vibrios had some characteristics of F fimbriae of enterobacteria. In comparative studies, fimbriae which resembled common fimbriae of E. coli were found on Pseudomonas multivorans and Aeromonas liquefaciens.