Chemotypes of Fusobacterium nucleatum lipopolysaccharides.

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) were isolated from 20 strains of Fusobacterium nucleatum and examined by paper chromatography, gas liquid chromatography and colorimetric methods for the presence of neutral sugars, amino sugars and 2-keto-3-dexoxy-octonate (KDO). The LPS had in common glucosamine, L-glycero-D-manno-heptose, glucose and KDO. The KDO content was low. Galatose, rhamnose and D-glycero-D-manno-heptose were found in some strains. Based on the sugar composition of the LPS, the F. nucleatum strains could be classified into six chemotypes.