Adherence and hydrophobicity in Neisseria meningitidis and their relationship with surface charge.

The influence of surface charge on hydrophobicity and adherence of four strains of Neisseria meningitidis was studied. After neutralization of negative (treatment with EDC-methylamine), positive (treatment with formaldehyde) or both charges, adherence to buccal cells and hydrophobicity were determined and analysed. It was found that surface charges are relevant for adherent processes. Surface hydrophobicity was also found to be influenced by charge but uncorrelated with adherence.