Rapid identification of P-fimbriated Escherichia coli by a receptor-specific particle agglutination test.
Most (greater than 90%) Escherichia coli strains isolated from children with acute non-obstructive pyelonephritis exhibit a specific type of filamentous protein appendage known as P-fimbriae. These fimbriae enable the bacterium to adhere to human uroepithelial cells by the specific recognition of and binding to a particular class of glycosphingolipids correlated to the human P-blood group antigens. In this paper a new method for the rapid and reliable identification of such P-fimbriated pyelonephritogenic bacteria is described. The method is based on particles to which the minimal glycoside receptor structure recognized by P-fimbriae is attached. Mixing these receptor-containing particles with P-fimbriated bacteria results in a strong and immediate agglutination reaction. The specificity and sensitivity of this new particle agglutination test proved to be superior to the haemagglutination assay previously used.
D000372:Agglutination Tests; D001437:Bacteriuria / Q000382:microbiology*; D001665:Binding Sites; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000145:classification* / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010861:Fimbriae, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D006027:Glycosides; D006028:Glycosphingolipids / Q000378:metabolism; D006386:Hemagglutination Tests; D006801:Humans; D010127:P Blood-Group System
D006027:Glycosides; D006028:Glycosphingolipids; D010127:P Blood-Group System