[40] Primary adhesion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to inanimate surfaces including biomaterials

The primary adhesion of bacteria to surfaces is governed by cell surface–surface and substrate–surface changes and hydrophobicities. Cells after initial contact may be desorbed from a surface by repulsive or shear forces or they may become irreversibly bound. The degree and strength of the “irreversible” bond appear to be strain-variable properties. This chapter focuses on a strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa that has been used in examining adhesion to contact lenses, intraocular lenses, and urinary catheters, as well as in assessment of the relative efficacies of various antimicrobials on adhered cells, but any strain with consistent primary adhesion to materials such as Teflon, polyethylene, polyvinyl acetate, or silicone could be employed. The strain, substratum, and other environmental conditions all interact in determining the degree of adhesion, with strain properties being dominant factors.