Anaerobiosis, type 1 fimbriae, and growth phase are factors that affect invasion of HEp-2 cells by Salmonella typhimurium.

The invasion of HEp-2 cells by Salmonella typhimurium was studied under various conditions. Anaerobiosis was shown to markedly affect the internalization of bacterial cells by HEp-2 cells. Anaerobically grown bacteria incubated with HEp-2 cells under anaerobic conditions markedly stimulated the rate of invasion. Anaerobiosis may therefore be a controlling factor in the invasion process. Cells obtained during the logarithmic phase of growth invaded at much higher rates than cells obtained during the stationary phase of growth. The presence of mannose-sensitive type 1 fimbriae on the bacterial surface also promoted invasion, and these fimbriae appear to play a role as an accessory virulence factor.