Binding of Staphylococcus aureus onto Bovine Intestinal Mucin

Mucins act as protection for the gastrointestinal tract against various invading organisms. They are also crucial in developing drugs against these organisms as well as for other therapeutic purposes. This study was carried out to investigate the binding of Staphylococcus aureus onto bovine intestinal mucin in vitro. The isolate of Staphylococcus aureus was added into graded concentrations of mucin ranging from 100 mg to 15000 mg. The mixture was agitated in test tubes for 5 min. The viable count of the bacteria in the mixture was taken at the end of the agitation period using the surface viable method and incubated along with control containing the same quantity of bacterial suspension at 37°C for 24 h. After 24 h incubation, the count was taken so as to determine the cells adsorbed by the mucin. The result of the study indicates that bovine intestinal mucin had binding capacity and hence, a reduction in the total cell counts of Staphylococcus aureus in vitro. Thus mucins may enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics when used in combination as they may immobilize the organisms for ready destruction by the antibiotics.