Ultrastructural aspects of the interaction between Escherichia coli and cultured epithelial cells

Microorganisms from two Escherichia coli serotypes were allowed to interact with cultured epithelial cells and the interaction process was followed from 30 to 360 min. Destruction of the microvilli on the epithelial monolayers as well as of the cells themselves was observed only with 0111:H2 serotype.