ANTIADHESIVE EFFECTS OF XYLITOL ON OTOPATHOGENIC BACTERIA

The exposure of either epithelial cells or pneumococci or both to 5% x ylitol reduced the adherence of pneumococci. Exposure of epithelial ce lls or bacteria alone to xylitol did not reduce the adherence of Haemo philus influenzae, although the exposure of both cells and bacteria to xylitol reduced the adherence significantly. The adherence of Moraxel la catarrhalis remained low irrespective of the exposure.