Adhesion of group B Streptococcus to a polyethylene intrauterine contraceptive device

Adhesion of a group B Streptococcus isolate to an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) made of polyethylene was investigated. Cells killed by formaldehyde, extracted with hot aqueous phenol or pretreated with proteolytic enzymes were significantly (P < 0.001) less adhesive than untreated cells. Adhesion was inhibited by human plasma fibronectin and bovine serum albumin but not by wheat germ agglutinin. Our data suggest that adhesion of group B Streptococcus to polyethylene might involve a protein-lipid complex consisting of non-fibrillar surface proteins and cellular lipoteichoic acids.