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Serological response to Escherichia coli pili in pyelonephritis
Abstract:
The serological response to Escherichia coli pili was studied in 4 adult male patients with pyelonephritis and in 11 uninfected controls. Antibody to the specific pilus antigen of the infecting strain of each patient was measured with indirect immune electron microscopy. Antibody to a cross-reacting antigen of the type 1 pili of heterologous E. coli 346 was quantitated with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Few antipilus antibodies were found in the serum of control patients with either technique. All pyelonephrine patients developed an increase in specific antipilus antibodies belonging to the immunoglobulins classes G, A, and M. Antibodies to the cross-reacting type 1 pilus antigen were found in the serum of three of the four patients and were predominantly immunoglobulin G. Few or no antipilus antibodies were present in the urine of infected or control patients. These results suggest that a serological response to the pill of infecting organisms develops after pyelonephritis.
Insights
Patients with pyelonephritis develop an immune response to Escherichia coli pili. This study found increased antipilus antibodies in patients, suggesting a serological response to infecting bacteria after pyelonephritis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Urology
Background:
- Pyelonephritis is a serious kidney infection often caused by Escherichia coli.
- Escherichia coli uses pili for adhesion to the urinary tract, playing a role in infection pathogenesis.
- Understanding the host's serological response to bacterial components like pili is crucial for diagnosing and managing infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the serological response to Escherichia coli pili in patients with pyelonephritis.
- To compare antibody levels in infected patients versus healthy controls.
- To determine the immunoglobulin classes involved in the antipilus antibody response.
Main Methods:
- Indirect immune electron microscopy was used to measure antibodies against specific pilus antigens of infecting E. coli strains.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) quantified antibodies to cross-reacting type 1 pili.
- Serum and urine samples from four pyelonephritis patients and eleven healthy controls were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Healthy controls showed minimal antipilus antibodies in serum.
- All pyelonephritis patients exhibited increased serum antibodies (IgG, IgA, IgM) against specific infecting E. coli pili.
- Three of four patients had antibodies against cross-reacting type 1 pili, primarily IgG.
- Antipilus antibodies were largely absent in the urine of both infected and control groups.
Conclusions:
- Pyelonephritis patients mount a significant serological response to the pili of infecting Escherichia coli.
- The immune response involves multiple immunoglobulin classes (IgG, IgA, IgM).
- Urinary antibody levels do not appear to reflect the systemic serological response to E. coli pili in pyelonephritis.