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Frequency of E. coli K antigens in urinary-tract infections in children
Insights
Certain Escherichia coli capsular (K) antigens are linked to virulent properties in upper urinary tract infections like pyelonephritis. Identifying these E. coli virulence markers could aid in developing preventive immunizations.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a common cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- Understanding the virulence factors of E. coli is crucial for effective treatment and prevention strategies.
- Capsular (K) antigens are known virulence factors in various bacterial pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association of somatic (O) and capsular (K) antigens of E. coli with different urinary tract conditions.
- To identify specific E. coli K antigens linked to acute pyelonephritis and other UTI types.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of E. coli isolates from urine of patients with acute pyelonephritis, acute cystitis, asymptomatic bacteriuria, and feces of healthy children.
- Serotyping of E. coli isolates using typing antisera for sixteen capsular acidic polysaccharide K antigens.
Main Results:
- Five specific K antigens (1, 2, 3, 12, and 13) accounted for 70% of E. coli isolates from patients with acute pyelonephritis.
- These five K antigens were found less frequently in isolates from patients with cystitis, asymptomatic bacteriuria, and healthy individuals.
- A limited number of E. coli K polysaccharides appear to be associated with virulence in the upper urinary tract.
Conclusions:
- Specific E. coli capsular (K) antigens are significantly associated with virulent properties, particularly in acute pyelonephritis.
- This finding parallels the association of specific capsular types with invasiveness in other bacteria like pneumococci and meningococci.
- Identification of these E. coli virulence markers offers potential for developing targeted preventive immunizations against upper UTIs.
Abstract:
The somatic (O) and casular (K) antigens of Escherichia coli from the urine of patients with acute pyelonephritis, acute cystitis, and asymptomatic bacteriuria, and in the faeces of healthy schoolchildren have been investigated. Typing antisera for sixteen capsular acidic polysaccharide K antigens were used, and five (numbers 1, 2, 3, 12, and 13) accounted for 70% of isolates from patients with acute pyelonephritis. These five K antigens were found to a lesser extent in the three other study groups. Thus, only a few K polysaccharides are associated with virulent properties of E. coli for the upper urinary tract. This finding is similar to the association of only some capsular types of pneumococci, meningococci, and Haemophilus influenzae with invasiveness. The identification of virulence markers for E. coli associated with upper-urinary-tract disease may permit more successful control with reference to preventive immunisation.