LAMB2 and infection: The difference in binding mediated by SS14 strain Tp0136 compared to that of Nichols strain Tp0136 to HEK293 cells, and better recognition of laminin by SS14 Tp0136 (Figs 4 and 5), suggest that allelic differences could play a moderate role in attachment to different cells during infection, as mediated by differential levels of expression of the receptor(s).