Effects of subminimal inhibitory concentrations of ampicillin on hemagglutination of Escherichia coli.
The hemagglutination (HA) activity of Escherichia coli was enhanced by subminimal inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) of ampicillin. One half of the MIC of ampicillin caused a bacterial filamentation and diminished bacterial piliation (as observed by light and electron microscopies) as well as an increase of HA activity. HA activity, however, decreased after separation of ampicillin-treated bacteria. These results indicate that the increase in HA activity by ampicillin is mainly due to filament formation.
Department of Urology, Onomichi General Hospital, Japan.
K
K
Nishimoto
S
S
Maruyama
A
A
Yasukawa
M
M
Ozaki
D000667:Ampicillin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects*; D010861:Fimbriae, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects; D006384:Hemagglutination / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests
D000667:Ampicillin