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Virulence factors and in vitro adherence of Enterococcus strains to urinary catheters

E Dworniczek1, K Kuzko, E Mróz

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.

Folia Microbiologica
|February 24, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Enterococcus bacteria show varying adherence to urinary catheters, with siliconized materials being more prone to biofilm formation than PVC. Adhesion levels did not correlate with common virulence factors in these Enterococcus isolates.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Biomaterials Science

Background:

  • Enterococcus species are significant causes of urinary tract infections, often associated with indwelling urinary catheters.
  • Bacterial adherence to medical devices like urinary catheters is a critical factor in device-associated infections.
  • Understanding the adherence properties of different Enterococcus species to various catheter materials is crucial for infection prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the in vitro adherence of Enterococcus urinary isolates to different urinary catheter materials.
  • To determine the presence of key enterococcal virulence factors in these isolates.
  • To explore the relationship between bacterial adherence, catheter material, and virulence factors.

Main Methods:

  • Thirty Enterococcus urinary isolates (E. faecalis, E. faecium, E. casseliflavus, E. gallinarum) were tested for adherence to silicone, siliconized latex, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) catheters.
  • Adherence was quantified using a sonication quantitative culture technique.
  • Scanning electron microscopy was employed to visualize bacterial adhesion.
  • Virulence factors including biofilm formation, enterococcal surface protein (Esp) gene, gelatinase, hemolysins, and cell surface hydrophobicity were assessed.

Main Results:

  • E. casseliflavus and E. gallinarum showed significantly lower adherence to all tested catheter materials compared to E. faecalis and E. faecium.
  • All tested Enterococcus strains exhibited higher adherence to siliconized latex and silicone materials than to PVC.
  • Biofilm formation was observed only in E. faecalis isolates; the Esp gene was detected in E. faecalis and E. faecium.
  • Gelatinase and hemolysins were found in some E. faecalis and E. faecium strains, but not in E. casseliflavus or E. gallinarum.
  • Bacterial adherence to catheter materials was not significantly associated with the presence of the investigated virulence factors.

Conclusions:

  • Urinary catheter material significantly influences Enterococcus adherence, with siliconized materials promoting greater bacterial attachment than PVC.
  • Species-specific differences in adherence exist among Enterococcus isolates.
  • The investigated virulence factors (Esp, gelatinase, hemolysins, hydrophobicity) do not appear to be primary drivers of Enterococcus adherence to urinary catheters in vitro.

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