title: Variation in the attachment of Streptococcus pneumoniae to human pharyngeal epithelial cells after treatment with S-carboxymethylcysteine.
abstract: S-carboxymethylcysteine (S-CMC) is a mucolytic agent that can prevent respiratory infection by decreasing the attachment of respiratory pathogens to human pharyngeal epithelial cells (HPECs). Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of respiratory infections. A previous study revealed that treatment of S. pneumoniae with S-CMC caused a decrease in the attachment of this bacterium to HPECs. In the present study we found that the effect of S-CMC varied according to hosts and strains. S-CMC treatment altered the surface structure of S. pneumoniae, resulting in a decrease of attachment, without affecting the virulence of the bacteria.
authors: Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Eda
authors: E
authors: Suer
authors: Suha
authors: S
authors: Sayrac
authors: Elif
authors: E
authors: Sarinay
authors: Hakan Emre
authors: HE
authors: Ozturk
authors: Mustafa
authors: M
authors: Turkoz
authors: Akitoyo
authors: A
authors: Ichinose
authors: Tsuyoshi
authors: T
authors: Nagatake
authors: Kamruddin
authors: K
authors: Ahmed
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects*; D002233:Carbocysteine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000382:microbiology; D005100:Expectorants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D010614:Pharynx / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D005100:Expectorants; D002233:Carbocysteine