Hemagglutinating properties of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis isolated from different sources

twenty-five strains of salmonella enterica serovar enteritidis isolated from different sources were examined for hemagglutinating activity. bacteria cultured in different media induced hemagglutination of human erythrocytes, but no reaction was observed with erythrocytes from other animal species. the hemagglutinating expression activity was better for cultures on cfa agar at 37oc than other conditions examined. the hemagglutination was inhibited by d-mannose, d-mannitol, melibiose, d-raffinose, l-rhamnose and sucrose. the absence of cell-surface appendages in electron microscope examinations suggested a nonfimbrial hemagglutinin. the data suggest that salmonella enteritidis produces nonfimbrial mannose-sensitive hemagglutinin, specific for human erythrocytes, which could be extracted in soluble form.