Escherichia coli O151:K−:H10 („KRIM”) als erreger von darminfektionen

Abstract The first time infections by Escherichia coli O151:K-:H10 were reported from Japan and the Soviet Union. 1972 it was included into the international antigenic scheme. Since 1976 these germs were occasionally demonstrated in sporadically occured acute enteritis in the G.D.R. In autumn 1979 60 E. coli 0151 strains were isolated from accumulating cases of gastroenteritis in the Rostock district. These infections mainly concerned young children, but also adults. Microbiological properties of 87 isolates of this serogroup are described. Biological examination of these strains did not result in symptoms for invasive activity or enterotoxin production. An indirect reference to the existence of fimbrial antigens could be obtained by the Evans ' method of direct hemagglutination. A corresponding hemagglutination pattern was found out in 60 E. coli O151 strains tested: mannoseresistent hemagglutination of bovine and chicken erythrocytes. Hemagglutination pattern, association of these strains with enteritis and antigenic relations to Salmonellae motivated the recommendation to integrate these germs into the group of facultatively enteropathogenic Escherichiae coli described by Czirok and Evans. E. coli O151 strains show biochemical particularities which can be useful for identification of these strains.