The adherence of clinical isolates of nonencapsulated Haemophilus influenzae strains from patients with chronic bronchitis to distinct immobilized extracellular matrix components was determined. With selected strains the induction of plasmin formation by these isolates was studied. The strains could be divided into two groups: strains that showed a very high level of adherence to laminin and type I collagen, as well as adhesion to fibronectin and strains that showed only a moderate level of adhesion to laminin and a low level of adhesion to fibronectin. Plasmin formation was demonstrated for three out of eight isolates. Persisting and nonpersisting strains did not differ quantitatively or qualitatively with respect to the level of adhesiveness to the distinct matrix proteins and in their ability to induce plasmin formation. ß