Preliminary study on the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infection in adult women using intravaginal Lactobacilli

Authors

Gregor Reid, The University of Western Ontario
Henny C. Van Der Mei, University of Groningen
Christina Tieszer, The University of Western Ontario
Henk J. Busscher, The University of Western Ontario

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-31-1996

Journal

FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology

Volume

16

Issue

3-4

First Page

159

Last Page

162

URL with Digital Object Identifier

10.1016/S0928-8244(96)00075-2

Abstract

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.