Comparison of virulence and colonizing capacity of Escherichia coli K1 and non-K1 strains in neonatal rats.
Neonatal rats fed three strains of Escherichia coli K1 at birth had bacteremia rates of 29 to 81%; negligible bacteremia was seen with K92 and an unencapsulated strain. Despite this marked difference in virulence, K1, K92, and the unencapsulated strain all promptly, reliably, and stably colonized the entire alimentary tract, from pharynx to colon.
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000941:Antigens; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D004064:Digestive System / Q000382:microbiology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000401:mortality; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000382:microbiology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D014774:Virulence
D000941:Antigens; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D000954:Antigens, Surface; C030659:K antigens