Hydrophobic surface properties of oral streptococci

Abstract

Bacteria that colonize epithelial tissues must be able to attach and escape the cleansing action of the internal secretions in the body. In the oral cavity bacterial attachment to various surfaces has been explained by essentially two different mechanisms, viz. specific binding [1] or non-specific electrostatic interactions [2]. Electrostatic forces, either specific or non-specific binding, are most likely involved. We have studied the importance of electrostatic forces in bacterial adherence to tooth surfaces [3]. However, our studies [4] and those of others [5] suggest that bacterial adherence in the oral cavity can only partially be due to electrostatic interactions. Hydrophobic interactions between pathogenic bacteria and epithelial surfaces may also be important for bacterial adherence [6]. In the present study the hydrophobic surface properties of various oral streptococci have been examined by two different methods.