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Fimbrial serotypes of Escherichia coli strains isolated from extra-intestinal infections
J M De Ree1, J F Van den Bosch
1Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Limburg, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Strains of Escherichia coli isolated from urinary tract infections and meningitis were characterised by their O:K serotype, haemolysin production, mannose-resistant haemagglutination, and the serotype of the P-fimbriae. The P-fimbriae of 71% of the mannose-resistant haemagglutination-positive strains from urinary tract infection and meningitis could be determined with specific monoclonal antibodies. Many strains expressed multiple P-fimbriae serotypes. The serotypes of P-fimbriae found most frequently among mannose-resistant haemagglutination-positive E. coli from urinary tract infections were the F11, F7 and F8 fimbriae, and among meningitic strains, F11, F8 and F9 fimbriae. The expression of certain F-serotypes did not correlate with O:K antigens.
Insights
This study characterized Escherichia coli strains from urinary tract infections and meningitis, focusing on P-fimbriae serotypes. F11, F7, and F8 were common in UTI strains, while F11, F8, and F9 were frequent in meningitis strains.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a common cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and meningitis.
- P-fimbriae are important virulence factors in E. coli, mediating adherence to host cells.
- Understanding the diversity of P-fimbriae serotypes is crucial for developing targeted therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize P-fimbriae serotypes in E. coli strains isolated from UTIs and meningitis.
- To investigate the correlation between P-fimbriae expression and other virulence factors like O:K antigens and haemolysin production.
Main Methods:
- Serotyping of O:K antigens.
- Assays for haemolysin production and mannose-resistant haemagglutination (MRHA).
- Determination of P-fimbriae serotypes using specific monoclonal antibodies.
Main Results:
- P-fimbriae serotypes were determined for 71% of MRHA-positive strains from UTIs and meningitis.
- Multiple P-fimbriae serotypes were expressed by many E. coli strains.
- F11, F7, and F8 were the most frequent P-fimbriae serotypes in UTI strains; F11, F8, and F9 were most frequent in meningitis strains.
- No correlation was observed between the expression of certain P-fimbriae serotypes and O:K antigens.
Conclusions:
- P-fimbriae serotyping is a valuable tool for characterizing pathogenic E. coli strains.
- Specific P-fimbriae serotypes are associated with different E. coli infections (UTI vs. meningitis).
- The lack of correlation between P-fimbriae and O:K antigens suggests complex virulence mechanisms in E. coli.