GROWTH AND ADHESION OF ENTEROCOCCUS-FAECIUM L-FORMS

Comparisons of growth and surface colonisation of Enterococcus faecium L-forms and their cell-walled forms were undertaken to produce inform ation about their ability to form sessile cells. The growth of L-forms in liquid culture was slower than that of the parent. This was reflec ted in their longer lag phase and slower specific growth rates: 0.16 h (-1) for the L-form and 0.81 h(-1) for the parent. Although E. faecium L-forms attached to a silastic rubber surface, the attached populatio n density was 10-100-fold less than that of the parent. Confluent biof ilms on the silastic surfaces were not observed for either bacterial f orm. Comparison of the attachment of E. faecium L-form and parent may provide important information on how bacteria overcome host defence me chanisms and antibiotic treatment.