Authors : Maryam Jahanshahi, Saeed Azad, Bahram Aslanbeigi and Mohammad Rahbar
Abstract: Uropathogenic Escherichia coli is an important cause of urinary tract infection. Adherence to uroepithelial cells is a first step for colonization of bacteria. The aim of this study was to determine effects of sub Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) of antibiotics and antibodies on the adherence of this organism at in vitro condition. Seven strains of E. coli isolated from patients with acute pyelonephritis were subject of the study. MICs of trimethoprim, suphamethoxazole, sulphadiazine and ampicillin for these strains were determined and effect of these antibiotics at the ½ and ¼ MIC on the adhesion of E. coli to human urinary tract epithelial cells were studied. Trimethoprim, sulphamethoxazole and sulphadiazine at ½ and ¼ of the MICs decreased the adherence of four out of five E. coli strains tested whereas combinations of the compounds did not potentiate the effect. Ampicillin caused a similar effect. Specific pili-antibodies as well as gamma globulin and milk inhibited the adherence but did not work synergistically with ampicillin. In conclusion, present preliminary investigation gives further support to the theory that the effect of sub inhibitory concentration of antibiotics on the growth of bacteria may prevent their attachment to urinary epithelial cells.
Maryam Jahanshahi, Saeed Azad, Bahram Aslanbeigi and Mohammad Rahbar, 2010. Effects of Subinhibitory Concentrations of Antibiotics and Antibodies on the Adherence of Escherichia coli to Human Uroepithelial Cells In vitro. Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 5: 326-329.