Identification of a Homopolymer of 5-Acetamidino-7-acetamido-3,5,7,9-tetradeoxy-D-glycero-D-talo-nonulosonic Acid in the Lipopolysaccharides of Legionella pneumophila Non-1 Serogroups

O-Specific polysaccharides (OPS) were isolated by mild acid hydrolysis of the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of strainsof Legionella pneumophila serogroups 2-14, as well as strains Lansing 3 and 16453-92 from newly proposed serogroups. TheOPS were studied by 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy, GLC/mass spectrometry, and chemical modifications (mild alkalineO-deacetylation and conversion of the N-acetimidoyl group into the N-acetyl group). All OPS were found to be ahomopolymer of a 5-acetamidino-7-acetamido-3,5,7,9-tetradeoxynonulosonic acid, which in some strains is 8-O-acetylat-ed. In most strains studied, the monosaccharide has the D-glycero-D-talo configuration and is thus the C4 epimer of legion-aminic acid (4-epilegionaminic acid), which has been previously identified as the monomer in the OPS of L. pneumophilaserogroup 1. Poly(4-epilegionaminic acid) occurs as a minor polysaccharide in serogroups 5 (strain Dallas 1) and 13 and isabsent in serogroups 1 and 7. The chemical basis for serological differentiation of L. pneumophila strains is discussed.