Toxic and adhesive properties of Escherichia coli strains belonging to classic enteropathogenic serogroups.
Twenty-three strains belonging to classic enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) serogroups were investigated for the production of heat-labile (LT) and heat-stable (STa) enterotoxins, verotoxins (VT), cytotoxic necrotizing factors CNF1 and CNF2, alpha-haemolysin (Hly), necrosis and modification of permeability in rabbit skin, lethal activity to mice, mannose-resistant (MRHA) and mannose-sensitive (MSHA) haemagglutination, relative cell surface hydrophobicity and the expression of P fimbriae. Of 23 EPEC strains, 7 (30%) belonging to serotypes O18ac: H7 (Hly+), O20: H26 (lethal), O26: H- (Hly+), O44: H18 (Hly+), O55: H- (CNF2+, necrotic and lethal), O119: H27 (VT+ and Hly+) and O142: H6 (lethal) produced toxic factors. Seven (30%) of 23 EPEC strains were MRHA+, 17 (74%) were MSHA+ and only 2 possessed high hydrophobicity. Two strains belonging to serotypes O18ac: H7 and O44: H18 that showed MRHA type IVa were fimbriated when grown on CFA medium.
Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Santiago, Lugo, Spain.
J
J
Blanco
J E
JE
Blanco
M
M
Blanco
E A
EA
González
J I
JI
Garabal
M P
MP
Alonso
D000818:Animals; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D014709:Vero Cells; D014774:Virulence