THE ADHERENCE OF 3 STREPTOCOCCUS-BOVIS STRAINS TO CELLS OF RUMEN-EPITHELIUM PRIMOCULTURE UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS

Three Streptococcus bovis strains were tested in biotype assay and exa mined for the adherence to cells of rumen epithelium primoculture. The adherence pattern of ruminal streptococci in phosphate buffered salin e at pH values ranging from 4.1 to 8.5 was determined. Our isolates of Streptococcus bovis strains adhered best at pH 7.0-7.3. To characteri ze the adhesive determinants, the bacterial cells were exposed to vari ous treatments. Protease treatment dramatically decreased the adherenc e of all Streptococcus bovis strains, thus suggesting that the determi nants responsible for the adherence are largely proteinaceous. Carbohy drates could be also significantly involved in the active sites of bac terial surface because metaperiodate-treated cells adhered much more p oorly than control, sodium iodate-treated cells. Addition of carbohydr ates (lactose, maltose and saccharose) had no significant effect on th e adherence of Streptococcus bovis strains although a slight decrease in the adhesion was detected.