Characterization of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli isolated from outbreaks of diarrhoeal disease in England.
Twenty-two strains of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAggEC), isolated from four outbreaks of diarrhoeal disease in England, were examined for a range of phenotypic attributes including the ability to produce fimbriae, haemolysins and siderophores, and cell-surface properties such as surface charge and hydrophobicity. Strains of EAggEC isolated from two of these outbreaks belonged to a diverse range of serotypes and were heterogeneous in phenotype. Strains of EAggEC isolated from the other two outbreaks belonged predominantly to serotypes 086:H34 and 098:H-, respectively. Only two strains expressed fimbriae and two strains produced an 18 kDa membrane associated protein (MAP), suggesting that EAggEC express a range of adhesion mechanisms to produce the cell arrangement recognized as the 'stacked brick' formation. The possible explanation for the diversity of EAggEC serotypes is discussed.
Spencer
J
J
Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens, Central Public Health Laboratory, London.
Smith
H R
HR
Chart
H
H
D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D002449:Cell Aggregation; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000382:microbiology*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D010641:Phenotype; D012703:Serotyping
D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins