Open AccessUropathogenic Escherichia coli adhere to urinary catheters without using fimbriae
Author(s) -
Reid Gregor,
Mei Henny C.,
Tieszer Christina,
Busscher Henk J.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.1996.tb00132.x
Subject(s) - fimbria , bacterial adhesin , escherichia coli , microbiology and biotechnology , microelectrophoresis , biology , adhesion , enterobacteriaceae , urinary system , biofilm , bacteria , chemistry , biochemistry , anatomy , organic chemistry , electrophoresis , gene , genetics
Five well‐characterized urinary and fecal isolates of Escherichia coli were found to be hydrophilic irrespective of their serotypes and their ability to express fimbriae. All the strains were able to adhere to silicone latex urinary catheters, although strain 917, which expressed type P fimbriae as its only adhesin, adhered poorly. Although specific adhesins, particularly fimbriae, have been shown to mediate adhesion of E. coli to uroepithelial cells, they do not mediate specific adhesion onto urinary catheter material. The overall surfaces of the strains, tested using microelectrophoresis as a function of pH and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, were not significantly different, thus suggesting more non‐specific adhesion mechanisms to urinary catheters.