The adherence of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli on cotton, polyester and their blends

Abstract

The adherent behaviour of the Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis and the Gram-negative Escherichia coli on cotton, polyester and their blends through contact in aqueous suspensions was studied. Staphylococcus epidermidis was found to adhere to fabrics much more so than Staph. aureus. The adherence of both Staph. epidermidis and Staph. aureus to fabrics increased as the content of polyester fibres in the fabrics increased. The attachment of E. coli to all fabrics was very low and was not affected by the fibre contents. Total numbers of adherent bacteria on cotton and polyester fabrics were related directly to the concentrations of the bacterial suspensions. The extents of adherence, expressed by the percentage of adherent bacteria from the suspension, however, were independent of the concentration. The length of contact with bacteria was also found to affect the adherence of bacteria on fabrics studied.