Influence of lactobacilli on the adhesion ofStaphylococcus aureus andCandida albicans to fibers and epithelial cells

The ability of organisms to adhere to and form biofilms on fibrous materials is believed to be an important initiating step in the induction of several diseases, such as toxic shock syndrome. Using anin vitro assay, a moderately hydrophobic strain ofStaphylococcus aureus (water contact angle 35°) and a hydrophilicCandida albicans (shown by a hexadecane test) were highly adherent to commercial diaper fibers. The lumen side of the diaper was porous and the fibers were very hydrophobic (>140°), but the internal section was very hydrophilic (0°), presumably for adsorption purposes. There was evidence that adhesion of the pathogens was inhibited when one of fiveLactobacillus strains was present. Surfaces precoated with lactobacilli inhibited staphylococcal adhesion by 26–97%, and candida by 0–67%. When the lactobacilli were used to challenge adherent pathogens, there was 99% displacement of theS. aureus and up to 91% displacement ofC. albicans. HydrophobicL. acidophilus 76 (54°) and T-13 (80°) were the most effective of fiveLactobacillus isolates tested at interference by precoating. The moderately hydrophilicL. casei varrhamnosus GR-1 (33°) was the most effective at displacing the yeast. Experiments with uroepithelial cells also showed that the lactobacilli could significantly interfere with the adhesion of both pathogens to the cells. The results demonstrate the rapidity with which two pathogens adhered to fibers and epithelial cells, and raised the possibility that members of the normal female urogenital flora might interfere with infections caused by these organisms.