Adherence of Haemophilus influenzae to monkey respiratory tissue in organ culture.

We studied the adherence of Haemophilus influenzae to monkey respiratory mucosa using nasal turbinates maintained in organ culture. Adherence of capsulated and rough strains was not inhibited by monosaccharides, sucrose, human albumin, foetal calf serum or polyribophosphate. However, antisera directed against surface components decreased bacterial adherence. Although variation in adherence capacity in individual strains was observed there was no correlation with capsulation, anatomical site of strain isolation or biotype. Bacterial surface structures other than capsular material appear important in effecting upper respiratory tract colonization.