1.   Buccal epithelial cells from eight healthy laboratory staff were prepared using established methods.

2.   The buccal cells were deposited by vacuum onto a membrane filter and washed free of unbound bacteria with phosphate buffered saline.

3.   This adhesion was not inhibited by D-mannose and was demonstable with both HeLa cells and human buccal epithelial cells.

4.   In contrast, we were unable to show consistent adhesion of control strains to any preparation of buccal epithelial cells from a panel of eight donors.

5.   But so-called buccal cells that line the membranes of the mouth are constantly shed into the saliva and may serve as telltale identifiers.