Effect of lipopolysaccharides on the morphology of erythrocyte membranes.

The effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) isolated from Gram-negative bacteria Salmonella typhi on erythrocyte membranes was investigated by electron microscopy. The LPS was found to be irregularly distributed on the surface of erythrocytes and their envelopes. It caused the formation of short bilayer rods associated at one end with the erythrocyte membrane of vesicular formations localized horizontally on or in the membrane, and of lamellar structures.