Adherence and hemagglutination of Corynebacterium group D2

Sixty-one strains of Corynebacterium group D2 were examined for their ability to adhere to human uroepithelial cells and to agglutinate human and guinea-pig erythrocytes. Strains were isolated from samples of two origins: urine of bacteriuric patients and healthy skin of patients without urinary infection. In addition, the isolates were examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Heavy adherence to the uroepithelial cells but weak hemagglutination were noted. No statistical association was demonstrated between the adherence and the origin of the strains (65.2% of urinary isolates and 80% of healthy skin isolates were adherent). On transmission electron microscopy, a close association was observed between adherent bacteria and cells on thin sections and only few strains were piliated with negative staining. These results do not support a role of adherence as a predictor of pathogenicity of Corynebacterium group D2 which seems to act as an opportunistic pathogen in urinary tract infections.