Scanning and transmission electron microscopic study of Escherichia coli O15 (RDEC-1) enteric infection in rabbits

RDEC-1 is a piliated strain of Escherichia coli that was isolated from and produces diarrhea in rabbits without invading the mucosa or synthesizing one of the classical enterotoxins. Previous histological and fluorescent-antibody studies of RDEC-1 diarrhea revealed an acute inflammatory response and large numbers of RDEC-1 associated with (adhering to) the mucosal surface of the ileum, cecum, and colon. The purpose of the present investigation was to further elucidate the histopathology by scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy. SEM revealed aggregates of bacteria on the surface of the gut; their distribution was patchy in the ileum and diffuse in the cecum and colon. Bacteria were in contact with each other and appeared to be closely associated with the epithelial surface. TEM showed that the brush border region of the epithelial cells was found to be in varying stages of degeneration, and the bacteria could not be seen adhering to the mucosal cells unless the brush border was absent. Bacteria were in close contact only with epithelial cells that had lost their brush border. The space between the bacteria and the epithelial cells was 11 nm, and it appeared to be filled, in most cases, with densely stained material. This E. coli rarely penetrated epithelial cells, but when it did; it was found in the supranuclear region and never reached the lamina propria. From previous and present studies, it seems probable that RDEC-1 produces diarrhea in rabbits by a mechanism that may be cytotoxic and differs from the classic mechanisms by which E. coli produces diarrhea.