Characterization of a new fimbrial antigen present in Escherichia coli strains isolated from calves.
Thirteen Escherichia coli strains isolated from calves with diarrhoea, supposed to carry a common antigen were examined for their hemagglutinating activity and compared by bacterial agglutination, double diffusion in two dimensions and by crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIE). Two of the strains were examined also in the electron microscope. Most of the strains agglutinated red blood cells of horse, ox, guinea pig and chicken, of which the agglutination of ox erythrocytes was mannose-resistant (MRHA). None of the strains agglutinated human erythrocytes. All strains with MRHA of ox red blood cells, regardless to their O:K:H antigens could be agglutinated in unabsorbed or absorbed antisera produced against cultures C1209 (020:K-:H9) and C1213 (09:K36:H-) when live cells as antigens were used. None of these sera agglutinated reference strains carrying K88, K99, 987P, F41 or FY (Att25) antigen respectively. By the double gel diffusion test and by CIE in extracts (60 degrees C) of the strains a common heat labile antigen, responsible for the MRHA of ox red blood cells was identified. Electron microscopy revealed that this common antigen was represented by thin, long, hair-like fimbriae on cells of E. coli C1213, and that specific homologous antibodies attached to these fimbriae.
Varga
J
J
Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.
D000818:Animals; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010861:Fimbriae, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D000954:Antigens, Surface