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In vitro adherence of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium to urinary catheters
P Joyanes1, A Pascual, L Martínez-Martínez
1Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Seville, Spain.
Summary
Enterococcus faecalis adheres more to urinary catheters than Enterococcus faecium. Adherence peaked at 24 hours, regardless of catheter material or bacterial surface properties.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biomaterials Science
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are frequently associated with indwelling urinary catheters.
- Enterococcus species, particularly Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium, are common causative agents of catheter-associated UTIs.
- Understanding bacterial adherence to biomaterials is crucial for developing strategies to prevent catheter-associated infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the in vitro adherence of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium to two common urinary catheter biomaterials.
- To investigate the time course of bacterial adherence to catheter materials.
- To determine if bacterial surface properties influence adherence to biomaterials.
Main Methods:
- In vitro adherence assay using siliconized latex urinary catheters and silicone elastomer.
- Bacterial suspensions of ten strains each of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium were incubated with catheter segments.
- Quantification of adhered bacteria after washing and sonication at specified intervals.
Main Results:
- Bacterial adherence rapidly increased, reaching maximal levels after 24 hours of incubation.
- Enterococcus faecium exhibited significantly lower adherence to both catheter materials compared to Enterococcus faecalis.
- No significant difference in adherence was observed between siliconized latex and silicone elastomer.
- Bacterial adherence was independent of bacterial surface hydrophobicity, hemolysin, or gelatinase production.
Conclusions:
- Enterococcus faecalis demonstrates a higher propensity for adherence to urinary catheter materials than Enterococcus faecium.
- The adherence of these enterococci to biomaterials is a time-dependent process, peaking at 24 hours.
- Neither catheter material type nor bacterial surface characteristics like hydrophobicity, hemolysin, or gelatinase production significantly influenced adherence in this in vitro model.