Virulence factors andin Vitro adherence ofEnterococcus strains to urinary catheters

The ability to adherein vitro to urinary catheters and the presence of enterococcal virulence factors was determined in 30Enterococcus urinary isolates (12E. faecalis, 12E. faecium, 3E. casseliflavus, 3E. gallinarum). Silicone, siliconized latex and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were examined by sonication quantitative culture technique and scanning electron microscope. As compared toE. faecalis andE. faecium, E. casseliflavus andE. gallinarum displayed lower adhesion to all synthetic materials. All the tests performed showed higher adherence of all tested strains to siliconized latex and silicone than to PVC. Biofilmforming ability was observed in 5E. faecalis but in none of the remaining strains. The gene coding enterococcal surface protein (Esp) was detected in 7E. faecalis and 6E. faecium strains. Gelatinase was found in 1E. faecalis, 2E. faecium and hemolysins were found in 6E. faecalis and 1E. faecium strains. AllE. casseliflavus andE. gallinarum strainswere negative for these traits. Hydrophobic type of cell surface (measured by its affinity forn-hexadecane) was shown in a few isolates. Bacterial adherence was not significantly associated with the above pathogenic factors.