ADHESION OF LACTOBACILLI TO URINARY CATHETERS AND DIAPERS - EFFECT OFSURFACE-PROPERTIES

Thirteen strains of lactobacilli were tested for their ability to adhe re to commercial devices used in the urinary tract. Although it appear ed that the most hydrophilic organisms adhered in highest numbers, the re was no significant correlation between water contact angle and adhe siveness to catheters. Five organisms tested were found to be highly a dherent to Huggies commercial diapers. Loss in hydrophobicity upon ser ial culture of Lactobacillus fermentum B-54 was not due to a proteinac eous S layer, although protein involvement per se cannot be ruled out. It was evident that, not only can members of the normal female urogen ital flora adhere to commonly used commercial prostheses, but their ab ility to attach is related to hydrophilic as well as hydrophobic surfa ce components. (C) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.