[Bactericidal action of human serum against Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains with hydrophilic or hydrophobic cell surface].

Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains are the prominent nosocomial pathogens, especially dangerous for patients hospitalized in intensive care units. The cell surface hydrophobicity of P. aeruginosa rods and resistance to the bactericidal action of serum are considered as important factors of their virulence. The aim of the study was to evaluate the susceptibility of hydrophilic and hydrophobic P aeruginosa strains to the bactericidal effect of human serum. These strains were isolated from bronchioloalveolar lavage of children with hospital-acquired pneumonia. The BATH test was used to evaluate the hydrophobic properties. Among tested P aeruginosa strains seven had strong hydrophobic properties and eight strains were hydrophilic. The data showed that hydrophobic strains were more frequently serum-resistant than rods with hydrophilic cell surface.