Bacteria sialic acid occurrence

Monitoring of the levels of total sialic acid and lipid-associated sialic acid in serum is an important diagnostic tool for the detection of precancerous lesions [224], Transition-state analogues derived from sialic acid are potent inhibitors of sialidases from various influenza virus strains, and these have been evaluated clinically as influenza remedies [225], A detailed review of our current knowledge regarding the occurrence, specificity and function of sialic acid-specific lectins, particularly those that occur in viruses, bacteria and non-vertebrate eukaryotes has been recently published [226],... 

The occurrence of sialic acids in bacteria and their relationship to pathogenicity have been studied in some detail. Aaronson and Lessie (1960) examined the presence of sialic acids in several classes of bacteria and concluded that sialic acids are limited to the gram-negative bacteria. A later study, however, has indicated that some gram-positive bacteria also contain sialic acids, and the species examined all are pathogenic (Irani and Ganapathi, 1962 Luppi and Cavazzini, 1966). In Escherichia coli, both A-acetylneuraminic and N-acetyl-7-O-acetylneuraminic acids... 

Irani, R. J., and Ganapathi, K., 1%2, Occurrence of sialic acid in some gram-positive and gram-negative pathogenic bacteria. Nature 195 1227. 

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