Solid-phase binding of clinical isolates of Escherichia coli expressing different piliation phenotypes. Effect of glycosaminoglycans.

Pili (or fimbriae) are frequently present on most Escherichia coli strains and they mediate binding to specific receptors. In the present work we used type 1 and P-fimbriated E. coli strains isolated from patients with urinary tract infections to study the antiadhesive effect of some synthetic commercial glucosaminoglycans (GAGs). Quantitative determinations of tritiated bacteria associated with specific receptor-activated resins indicated that displacement by GAGs was more effective in the presence of nonspecific binding. Glucuronilglucosaminoglycan sulfate (Glu-g) and esosaminoglycan sulfate (Eso-g) at a concentration of 10 mg/ml were the most active substances against P-fimbriated E. coli, while galactosaminoglucuronglycan sulfate (Gal-g) behaved as an anti-adhesive agent on type 1 fimbriated E. coli also at a lower concentration. The possible use of GAGs for the prophylaxis or treatment of chronic urinary tract infections implies a previous characterization of the piliation phenotype of the clinical isolates.