Phosphocholine decoration of Proteus mirabilis O18 LPS induces hydrophobicity of the cell surface and electrokinetic potential, but does not alter the adhesion to solid surfaces.

Proteus mirabilis harbours a variety of O antigens, permitting evasion of the host immune response. LPS decoration with phosphocholine increases cell surface hydrophobicity and decreases electrokinetic potential, which may interfere with antibody interaction and bacterial surface recognition. The decoration does not influence adherence to solid surfaces.