Hämagglutinationsvermögen and Fimbrien-Antigene von aus Urin isolierten Escherichia coli-Stämmen: Hemagglutination and Fimbrial Antigens of Urinary Escherichia coli

Abstract The close conncection between mannose-resistant hemagglutination (MRHA) and adhesion to uroepithelial cells of urinary E. coli with regard to the pathogenesis of urinary tract infection (UTI) prompted us to examine the hem agglutinating ability of 1499 E. coli strains from urine using human blood group OP, erythrocytes. In 317 strains (21.2%), an MRHA was found. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of MRHA related to the isolation time and admitting hospital. A correlation was found between MRHA and the presence of P fimbriae in the strains investigated. Another association appears to exist between certain O : K : H serovars and distinct fimbrial antigens which had been serologically identified. The F11 antigen was detected most frequently and proved to be present in strains of serovars 01: K1: H-, 01: K1: H7, 02: K1: H-, 02: K1: H4, 02: K1: H7, and 015 : K1 : H7. The F8 antigen was strongly associated with serovar 018 : K5 : H-. 018: K5: H1 and 06: K5: H1 were apparently related to cross-reacting F14 antigens.