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Adherence and surface properties of buoyant density subpopulations of group B streptococci, type III
Author(s) -
GRANLUNDEDSTEDT MARGARETA,
SELLIN MATS,
HOLM ANDERS,
HÅKANSSON STELLAN
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
apmis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.909
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1600-0463
pISSN - 0903-4641
DOI - 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1993.tb00093.x
Subject(s) - capsule , bacteria , strain (injury) , microbiology and biotechnology , cell , buoyant density , group a , polysaccharide , streptococcus , group b , biology , streptococcaceae , chemistry , biophysics , biochemistry , anatomy , medicine , dna , genetics , botany
From clinical isolates of group B streptococci, buoyant density subpopulations with variable amounts of type‐specific polysaccharide can be derived. The ability of these subpopulations to adhere to vaginal epithelial cells and to glass was assessed by using [ 3 H]‐labeled bacteria. Subpopulations with no or minute amounts of capsule showed good adherence capacity and a hydrophobic cell surface. In contrast, a large capsule made the bacteria less adherent and rendered their surface hydrophilic. A negative cell surface charge, judged by determination of the z‐potential, was directly related to the amount of capsule. Proteinase K treatment of less encapsulated variants significantly decreased the cell hydrophobicity. The ability of a GBS strain to express different surface characteristics may be a mechanism for adaptation to environmental changes, and may thereby contribute to the pathogenicity of GBS.