Adhesion of Proteus species to various cell types

Pathogenic and saprophytic Proteus strains from the urine of patients with urinary tract infections and healthy adults respectively were evaluated with regard to their ability to adhere in vitro to homologous cells (uroepithelial cells from urinary sediment and cultured WISH cells) and heterologous cells (RK-13 and MDCK cells). The effect on attachment of pretreating bacteria with subinhibitory concentrations of piperacillin and sagamicin was also determined for one sensitive and one resistant strain. Fifty percent of the pathogenic Proteus strains demonstrated good adherence to human urinary epithelial cells, whereas saprophytic strains did not adhere. There was a lower rate of attachment to culture cells. Piperacillin and sagamicin in subinhibitory concentrations caused a decrease in the attachment of the sensitive Proteus strain.