Probiotics to prevent urinary tract infections: The rationale and evidence

Authors

Gregor Reid, The University of Western Ontario
Dominique Lam, The University of Western Ontario
Andrew W. Bruce, University of Toronto
Henny C. van der Mei, University of Groningen
Henk J. Busscher, The University of Western Ontario

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1994

Journal

Journal of Biomedical Materials Research

Volume

28

Issue

6

First Page

731

Last Page

734

URL with Digital Object Identifier

10.1002/jbm.820280610

Abstract

Thirteen strains of lactobacilli were tested for their ability to adhere to commercial devices used in the urinary tract. Although it appeared that the most hydrophilic organisms adhered in highest numbers, there was no significant correlation between water contact angle and adhesiveness to catheters. Five organisms tested were found to be highly adherent to Huggies commercial diapers. Loss in hydrophobicity upon serial culture of Lactobacillus fermentum B‐54 was not due to a proteinaceous S layer, although protein involvement per se cannot be ruled out. It was evident that, not only can members of the normal female urogenital flora adhere to commonly used commercial prostheses, but their ability to attach is related to hydrophilic as well as hydrophobic surface components. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Copyright © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.