title: Effect of metronidazole on surface properties of Bacteroides fragilis.
abstract: The effects of subinhibitory concentrations of metronidazole on the general morphology, ultrastructure and charge and hydrophobicity of Bacteroides fragilis were investigated using transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and measurements of zeta-potentials and contact angles. Metronidazole treatment induced morphological alterations in B. fragilis. Cells became filamentous and showed a significant loss of cytoplasm. The surface anionogenicity and hydrophobicity of B. fragilis were enhanced by the drug treatment. Metronidazole, by modifying B. fragilis surface properties, could alter, indirectly, interactions with host cells.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Cavalcanti
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Domingues
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Costa e Silva Filho
mesh_terms: D001441:Bacteroides fragilis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D013499:Surface Properties / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D008795:Metronidazole