Correlation between cell-associated mannose-sensitive hemagglutination by Vibrio parahaemolyticus and adherence to a human colonic cell line Caco-2.

Cell-associated hemagglutination (cHA) activity with human erythrocytes was examined for 468 clinical and 71 environmental strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Approximately 95% of the strains tested were cHA positive irrespective of source or Kanagawa phenomenon. 75% of clinical strains showed relatively strong mannose-sensitive hemagglutination (MSHA), whereas 88% of the environmental strains showed relatively weak mannose-resistant hemagglutination (MRHA). Adherence of V. parahaemolyticus to Caco-2 cells was also determined. A clear positive correlation between cell-associated MSHA and adherence to Caco-2 cells was observed.