title: Growth and adhesion of Enterococcus faecium L-forms.
abstract: Comparisons of growth and surface colonisation of Enterococcus faecium L-forms and their cell-walled forms were undertaken to produce information about their ability to form sessile cells. The growth of L-forms in liquid culture was slower than that of the parent. This was reflected in their longer lag phase and slower specific growth rates: 0.16 h-1 for the L-form and 0.81 h-1 for the parent. Although E. faecium L-forms attached to a silastic rubber surface, the attached population density was 10-100-fold less than that of the parent. Confluent biofilms on the silastic surfaces were not observed for either bacterial form. Comparison of the attachment of E. faecium L-form and parent may provide important information on how bacteria overcome host defence mechanisms and antibiotic treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Hatherly Laboratories, University of Exeter, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jass
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Allan
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Costerton
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Lappin-Scott
mesh_terms: D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D016984:Enterococcus faecium / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007740:L Forms / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012826:Silicone Elastomers
chemical_list: D012826:Silicone Elastomers