Interference with the Mannose Binding and Epithelial Cell Adherence of Escherichia coli by Sublethal Concentrations of Streptomycin

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Abstract

When Escherichia coli was grown in sublethal concentrations of streptomycin, mannose binding activity and epithelial cell adherence of the E. coli cultures at stationary phase were significantly reduced in the drug-grown organisms. In a strain whose minimal inhibitory concentrations was 30 μg/ml, the percentage of reduction in mannose binding activity was dose related over a range of concentrations between 0.5 and 10 μg/ml streptomycin. Concomitant with the drug-induced suppression of mannose binding activity, antigenic and ultrastructural alterations on the surface of the drug-grown organisms were observed by agglutination tests and electron microscopy, respectively.

Authors

Barry I. Eisenstein, Itzhak Ofek, Edwin H. Beachey