Critical evaluation of bioluminescence methods for quantifying bacterial adhesion to polystyrene.

A total of 134 strains of Escherichia coli which included 60 fecal and 74 urinary isolates, cultured in liquid and on solid media, were examined for adhesive properties using bioluminescence and haemagglutination methods. The study aimed to verify whether irrespective of the absence or presence of flagella, there is any relation between haemagglutination and bioluminescence test. Examining the results we failed to note any correlation between the two methods: strains bearing MS, MR or MS-MR adhesins adhered to polystyrene at random. Even though it is fast and easy to perform, bioluminescence is not an alternative to traditional methods to reveal MS adhesins.