Are ABH antigenic determinants on human outer ear canal epithelium responsible for Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections?
The outer ear canal expression of ABH human blood group antigens has been analyzed with a standardized routine histological procedure by monoclonal antibodies in the case of blood groups A and B, and a corresponding lectin in the case of blood group 0, respectively. In all 20 cases the blood groups were histochemically confirmed. Furthermore, Pseudomonas aeruginosa-specific inhibition experiments were performed with different sugar solutions as well as A-like substance incubating outer ear canal tissue sections with P. aeruginosa strain (No. 60) presenting lectin specificity for N-acetyl-galactosamine (GalNAc). P. aeruginosa lectins with GalNAc specificity apparently adhere to GalNAc as terminal blood group A determinant and indicate that patients presenting with blood group A may have a genetic predisposition to this form of otitis externa.
Steuer
M K
MK
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Regensburg, Germany.
Hofstädter
F
F
Pröbster
L
L
Beuth
J
J
Strutz
J
J
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004431:Ear, External / Q000382:microbiology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000382:microbiology; D006386:Hemagglutination Tests; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins; D008875:Middle Aged; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D037102:Lectins