Interactions of mitis group streptococci with sialic acid receptors

The serine-rich repeat glycoprotein Hsa in Streptococcus gordonii Challis mediates bacterial cell interactions with fetuin, glycocalicin, fibronectin and human platelets. Different strains of S. gordonii vary markedly in their adhesion levels to sialylated proteins, while other mitis group streptococci have distinct patterns of recognition of sialylated or desialylated receptor oligosaccharides.