Adherence of Bacteroides fragilis group species

Abstract

The ability of piliated and capsulated Bacteroides fragilis and Bacteroides ovatus to adhere to intestinal cells and mucus was investigated. The adherence of piliated and capsulated strains was at least five times greater than the adherence of their nonpiliated and noncapsulated or capsulate only counterparts. These data illustrate the importance of pili as promoters of adherence of B. fragilis group species to the gastrointestinal mucosa.