Isolation and characterization of Klebsiella pneumoniae unencapsulated mutants

J Clin Microbiol. 1989 Jan;27(1):82-7. doi: 10.1128/jcm.27.1.82-87.1989.

Abstract

Klebsiella pneumoniae mutants were obtained after UV irradiation and negative selection with anticapsular serum. Unencapsulation, rather than expression of a structurally altered capsule, was found in the mutants. The mutant strains showed no alterations in their outer membrane proteins and lipopolysaccharide, and a great similarity with the wild type in the properties tested (serum resistance, antimicrobial sensitivity, and lipopolysaccharide-specific bacteriophage sensitivity), with the exception of a higher cell surface hydrophobicity and resistance to bacteriophage FC3-9.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / analysis
  • Bacteriophages
  • Cell Membrane / analysis
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae / genetics
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae / isolation & purification*
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae / pathogenicity
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae / ultrastructure
  • Lipopolysaccharides / analysis
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Mutation
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial / physiology*
  • Ultraviolet Rays
  • Virulence

Substances

  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial