CELL-SURFACE APPENDAGES OF LACTOBACILLI

Seventeen vaginal isolates of lactobacillus were negatively stained us ing 1% phosphotungstic acid and examined by transmission electron micr oscopy. One or two flagella were observed in a polar or, less frequent ly, sub-polar position on 14 of the 17 isolates. The structures, measu ring 12 nm in diameter and up to 12 mu m long, were seen on cells cult ured in both solid and liquid MRS medium. Fimbriae, measuring 3.5 nm i n diameter and 0.1 mu m to 1.0 mu m in length, extended from the cell surface of 15 of the 17 lactobacillus isolates. Production of fimbriae was maximal when the lactobacilli were cultured on solid medium in an anaerobic atmosphere. Fimbriation significantly increased adhesion of lactobacilli to vaginal epithelial cells in vitro.