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Surface hydrophobicity and opsonic requirements of coagulase-negative staphylococci in suspension and adhering to a polymer substratum

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Abstract

The opsonic requirements for phagocytosis in suspension of 38 clinical isolates of coagulasenegative staphylococci recovered from neonates with septicemia were found to be related to the degree of surface hydrophobicity of these strains. Sixteen isolates were adequately opsonized only in the presence of complement; this group was significantly more hydrophobic (p<0.001) than the 22 strains not requiring complement for efficient uptake in suspension. Evidence showed that hydrophobic groups present on the bacterial surface may interfere with IgG opsonization. In contrast, IgG sufficed as an opsonin without complement being required for the efficient uptake of these hydrophobic strains when adhering to a polymer surface.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Microbiology, State University of Utrecht, Postbox 18009, 3501 CA, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    A. Pascual, A. Fleer, N. A. C. Westerdaal & J. Verhoef

  2. University Children's Hospital “Het Wilhelmina Kinderziekenhuis”, State University of Utrecht, Postbox 18009, 3501 CA, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    A. Fleer & M. Berghuis

Authors
  1. A. Pascual
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  2. A. Fleer
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  3. N. A. C. Westerdaal
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  4. M. Berghuis
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  5. J. Verhoef
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Pascual, A., Fleer, A., Westerdaal, N.A.C. et al. Surface hydrophobicity and opsonic requirements of coagulase-negative staphylococci in suspension and adhering to a polymer substratum. Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 7, 161–166 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01963070

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