Adherence of gram-negative uropathogens to human uroepithelial cells.

The ability of bacteria to adhere to the mucosal surface is generally regarded as an important factor in infection. In particular, most urinary tract pathogens reach the kidney from the bladder. The attachment to the mucosa may promote colonization of the ureters and penetration of the renal pelvis by ascending infection. We have examined 50 patients with urinary tract infection and the uropathogens isolated from their urines were tested for adhesion to epithelial cells from fresh morning urine of healthy women. The results confirm that adherence of the microorganisms to uroepithelial cells is important for the establishment of infections of the upper urinary tract.