[Relation between the O:K:H serotype and the fimbria antigen in E. coli of urinary tract infections]

Following introductory remarks on the typing antigens of E. coli and the relation between O:K:H serotypes and urinary tract infections (UTI), the importance of fimbriae as adhesive factors for the pathogenesis of UTI is pointed out. Our own results on the haemagglutination (HA) patterns and the establishing of fimbrial (F) antigens in E. coli strains from patients with UTI are presented. 42 O1:K2 strains were examined for the presence of F-antigens using crossed immunoelectrophoresis. In 31 strains with mannose-resistant HA from human and monkey erythrocytes this characteristically correlated with the presence of F-antigen. A close relation between O:K:H serotypes and F-antigen was found. In twelve O1:K1:H7 strains and five immobile variants of this serotype we succeeded in identifying the F11 antigen. 14 strains of the serotype O1:K1:H- had the F9 antigen. It is assumed that O1:K1:H7:F11 (incl. O1:K1:H-:F11-) strains and O:1:K1:H-:F9 isolates are derived from different clones.