The adherence of Staphylococcus epidermidis to human tonsil lymphocytes.

Abstract

Attachment of various bacteria to human, peripheral blood and tonsil lymphocytes was investigated in vitro. About 20% of tonsil lymphocytes bound Staphylococcus epidermidis, whereas the binding of other strains was negligible. The influence on cytoadherence of human serum, immunoglobulins (human IgM, IgG, IgA, as well as their respective anti-Ig's), and carbohydrates (mono and polysaccharides) was measured. It was found that heterogenous surface structures of the lymphocytes participate in the attachment.