Determination of bacterial adhesion to intestinal mucus

The epithelial cells in the small intestine are covered by a relatively thick layer of mucus, secreted by specialized cells, which consists of mucin, many small associated proteins, glycoproteins, lipids, and glycolipids. The mucus contains receptors that recognize specific adhesion proteins. Adhesion or close association of bacteria to the epithelial cells may further contribute to competitive exclusion. In addition, bacterial adhesion to intestinal mucus and epithelia seems to be important for individual stability of microbial flora. Although the mucus layer covering the gastrointestinal tract has been recognized for many years, it has only recently been of interest in the study of the adhesion between mucus and bacteria. In this chapter, we describe a method for the study of colonization of the gastrointestinal mucus by bacteria and determine the possible effects on adhesion of pathogenic organisms.