INTERACTIONS OF ACTINOMYCES-NAESLUNDII STRAINS T14V AND ATCC-12104 WITH SALIVA, COLLAGEN AND FIBRINOGEN

Approximately similar numbers of actinomyces cells adhered to hydroxyl apatite beads coated with saliva, collagen or fibrinogen. Adherence ge nerally was unaffected by the presence of free saliva. Binding of cell s to collagen- or fibrinogen-coated beads was reduced in the presence of either free collagen or fibrinogen. Glucan inhibited bacterial adhe rence only to collagen-coated hdyroxylapatite beads. It is suggested t hat actinomyces bind to saliva-, collagen- or fibrinogen-coated surfac es by different mechanisms, but that these mechanisms involve some com mon bacterial cell-surface components.