K antigens of Escherichia coli and virulence in urinary-tract infection: studies in a mouse model.

Abstract

The importance of K antigens of Escherichia coli as virulence factors was studied by comparing groups of mice given either strains of E. coli isolated from urinary tract infection in humans or mutant strains differing only in the absence of the K antigen. K antigens proved to be of minor importance for mouse nephropathogenicity; however, with the exception of the K(A) antigen, they contributed substantially to deaths attributed to more general infection. Possible mechanisms for the virulence of strains with K antigens are discussed in terms of the bactericidal effect of serum and phagocytosis.

• Authors: A M Verweij-van Vught, J F van den Bosch, F Namavar, M Sparrius, D M MacLaren
• Journal: Journal of medical microbiology (J Med Microbiol) Vol. 16 Issue 2 Pg. 147-55 (May 1983) ISSN: 0022-2615 [Print] England
• PMID: 6341596 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antigens
• Antigens, Bacterial
• Antigens, Surface
• K antigens

Topics

• Animals
• Antigens
• Antigens, Bacterial
• Antigens, Surface
• Blood Bactericidal Activity
• Escherichia coli (immunology, pathogenicity)
• Escherichia coli Infections (microbiology)
• Kidney (microbiology)
• Lethal Dose 50
• Luminescent Measurements
• Mice
• Neutrophils (metabolism)
• Urinary Tract Infections (microbiology)