Serological response to type 1-like somatic fimbriae in diarrheal infection due to classical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli.
Fimbriae from enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strain E2349/69 (0127:H6) and its plasmid-minus derivative, MAR20, were purified and characterized as type 1-like by their physicochemical and hemagglutination patterns. Sera from adult volunteers challenged with the diarrheagenic parent strain and the attenuated plasmid-minus derivative were examined to detect an immune response, using the purified fimbriae as antigens in an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblot assay. An anti-fimbrial response was evident in sera of 7 of 10 volunteers fed the diarrheagenic parent strain E2348 but also in 8 of 9 individuals fed the attenuated, plasmid-cured, derivative MAR20. The antibody response appeared specific in that the sera failed to react in an ELISA and by immunoblot assay with type 1 fimbriae from other E. coli. These findings suggest that the type 1 fimbriae of this representative EPEC strain are antigenically distinct. The results of this investigation provide the first evidence of seroconversion to type 1-like fimbriae in infections caused by diarrheagenic E. coli.
Karch
H
H
Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Immunologie, Universität Hamburg, F.R.G.
Heesemann
J
J
Laufs
R
R
Kroll
H P
HP
Kaper
J B
JB
Levine
M M
MM
D000328:Adult; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000382:microbiology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010861:Fimbriae, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006386:Hemagglutination Tests; D006801:Humans
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D000939:Epitopes