Effects of subinhibitory amounts of ampicillin, amoxycillin and mecillinam on the adhesion of Escherichia coli bacteria to human urinary tract epithelial cells: a preliminary study.

Attachment to mucous surfaces may be a prerequisite for bacteria colonizing these surfaces or invading underlying tissues. Subinhibitory amounts of ampicillin and amoxycillin but not mecillinam decreased the attachment of Escherichia coli bacteria to human uro-epithelial cells in vitro. No significant synergistic effect on the attachment by the antibiotics was obtained. The present report indicates a new parameter for the study of antibacterial actions of drugs.