Adhesion and cellsurface properties of wild species of spore formers against enteric pathogens.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the adhesion potential and cell surface properties against enteric pathogens Salmonella typhi, Salmonella para typhi A and Vibrio cholera.

METHODS

Adhesion potentials of spore and vegetative phase were studied separately for the isolates. Hydrophobic nature was measured on the basis of affinity towards the xylene. Autoaggregation and coaggregation were studied on the basis of clumping of cells. In vitro adhesion studies were done on mucous which were prepared from infant child faeces. Biofilm production of superior adhesive isolate was confirmed by SEM analysis.

RESULTS

Spore and vegetative phases of isolates possessed a different rate of adhesion potentials on intestinal mucous, which indicated that cell surface properties were involved in adhesion process. Spores showed a higher hydrophobicity than their vegetative cells which remained less or non hydrophobic. Vegetative phases showed capabilities for autoaggregation and coaggregation. Spores were found to be more adhesive on intestinal mucous than vegetative phase. Among enteric pathogens Vibrio cholera registered higher adhesion potentials with supporting cell surface properties. Among the five sporeforming isolates, isolate BM-3 possess superior adhesion than enteric pathogens and also exhibited biofilm formation which enhances colonization potential.

CONCLUSIONS

Spore and vegetative cell phases shows differences in adhesion potentials. Cell surface properties and adhesion studies reveals that isolate BM-3 can be selected as superior isolate which is capable for biofilm production. In short, isolate BM-3 possesses an enhanced adhesion potential than enteric pathogens towards intestinal mucous which is a desirable probiotic character.