[Citrobacter freundii interaction with epithelial cells and macrophages in vitro]

Electron-microscopic study has revealed the capacity of enteropathogenic C. freundii strain to adhere to the glycocalyx of epithelial HeLa cells, to proliferate on their surface and to induce the toxic damage of their organelles. C. freundii, possessing a fibrillar microcapsule, have been shown to be capable of resisting the action of the lysosome enzymes of guinea-pig macrophages and disorganizing macrophage cultures. The latter fact should be taken into consideration in working with C. freundii strains isolated in the process of diagnostic examination.