Cell surface hydrophobicity of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans Y4

Oral bacteria colonize the dento-gingival tissues in a selective manner. Hydrophobic reactions have been suggested as one of the major mechanisms of adhesion. Hydrophobicity of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans Y4 (Aa) cells was studied in vitro using adherence to the liquid hydrocarbon, octane. Adherence of Aa cells to octane varied from 60-90%, depending on the medium in which they were grown, age of the culture and the buffer in which the assay was carried out. These data suggest that Aa is a hydrophobic bacterium, the hydrophobicity of which is expressed to a varying degree, and may have a rôle in its adherence to oral tissues.