title: Escherichia coli pneumonia in the elderly with reference to the role of E. coli K1 capsular polysaccharide antigen.
abstract: Escherichia coli pneumonia occurred in 17 elderly patients over a two-year period. All cases were documented by transtracheal aspiration. Six of the 17 E. coli organisms causing pneumonia contained K1 capsular polysaccharide. E. coli K1 organisms did not appear to be more virulent than non-K1 strains as measured by incidence of bacteremia, shock and death. E. coli K1 pneumonia was usually community- acquired (five of six cases) and occurred in patients with a prior history of urinary infection. Non-K1 E. coli pneumonia occurred in the hospital setting in eight of 11 patients, and a gastrointestinal source of infection was likely in five patients. All patients were treated with appropriate initial antibiotic therapy, and 71 percent of patients survived.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000150:complications; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial