Microbiology & Immunology Publications
Title
The effect of water, ascorbic acid, and cranberry derived supplementation on human urine and uropathogen adhesion to silicone rubber
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-1-1990
Journal
Current Microbiology
Volume
20
Issue
3
First Page
185
Last Page
190
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.1007/BF02091995
Abstract
Previous studies have provided evidence that bacterial aggregation occurs in disease processes. In the present report, an assay system was used to demonstrate bacterial aggregation and coaggregation in vitro. The results showed that uropathogens aggregated in urine and saline and formed aggregates attached to uroepithelial cells. The presence of fimbriae and O, K, and H antigens on the cell surface did not appear to correlate with aggregation. Additional studies related to intraabdominal sepsis showed aggregation of a Bacteroides fragilis strain and coaggregation between Bacteroides fragilis and Escherichia coli, suggestive of in vivo interaction. Electron microscopy demonstrated the various aggregation reactions and was particularly effective in showing type 1 fimbriated Escherichia coli coaggregating with the Bacteroides fragilis. The ability of organisms to aggregate and coaggregate appears to have potential significance in health and disease. © 1990 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.