Cell-surface properties of enterotoxigenic and cytotoxic Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium: studies on hemagglutination, cell-surface hydrophobicity, attachment to human intestinal cells and fibronectin-binding.

Thirteen Salmonella enteritidis and S. typhimurium strains with smooth or rough colony morphology were investigated for their surface properties based on hemagglutination (HA), hydrophobicity, and fibronectin-binding profiles. The strains showed 5 different patterns of HA which was mannose-sensitive. The rough strains possessed comparatively greater number of fimbriae than the corresponding smooth strains and also attached to human intestinal cells in greater numbers. The Salmonella strains used in this study interacted with fibronectin and its 29-kDa N-terminal fragment to varied extents. These properties may be helpful in broadening the prospective interaction capabilities of Salmonella organisms with the host surfaces.