Effect of respiratory syncytial virus infection on binding of Neisseria meningitidis and Haemophilus influenzae type b to a human epithelial cell line (HEp-2).
It has been suggested that individuals might be more readily colonized with bacteria that cause meningitis through enhanced binding of the bacteria to virus-infected epithelial cells. As respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) affects infants and children in the age group also susceptible to bacterial meningitis, we tested the hypothesis that infection of HEp-2 cells by RSV might enhance binding of Neisseria meningitidis or Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). Attachment of fluorescein-labelled bacteria to HEp-2 cells was measured by flow cytometry, and RSV-infected cells bound significantly more meningococci (P < 0.001) and Hib (P < 0.01) than uninfected cells. Although the isolates expressed different antigenic characteristics (3 meningococci and 5 Hib), all showed a similar pattern of binding. The results are discussed with reference to the methods used for detection of bacterial binding and to interactions that might explain the increased binding to RSV-infected cells.
Raza
M W
MW
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Edinburgh Medical School.
Ogilvie
M M
MM
Blackwell
C C
CC
Stewart
J
J
Elton
R A
RA
Weir
D M
DM
D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000502:physiology*; D012136:Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / Q000502:physiology*; D010253:Respirovirus Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000382:microbiology*
D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate