Adherence of Escherichia coli to epithelial cells is postulated to be a necessary step in the pathogenesis of urinary tract infections. Investigations have focused on the role of carbohydrates in adherence because of the ability of mannose to inhibit adherence; however, there have been several reports of an additional hydrophobic receptor. Here we describe the inhibition of adherence mediated by substituted aromatic hydrocarbon compounds and the relationship of our findings to support the role of a postulated hydrophobic-binding domain.
Adhesiveness Animals