Mannose-resistant Hemagglutinins Research Articles

Virulence factors of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) and correlation with antimicrobial resistance

BackgroundEscherichia coli has found to be the predominant uropathogen (50–90%) in uncomplicated, community acquired urinary tract infection (UTI). Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) express a multitude of virulence factors, which enable the bacteria to establish UTI. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of different phenotypic virulence markers in UPEC isolates and determine their correlation with antibiotic resistance pattern.ResultsOut of 105 patients, 56 (53%) were females and 49 (47%) were males. The age of the patients in the study ranged from 18 years to 87 years and majority of the patients belonged to the age group 20–29 years. Virulence factor was observed in 65% (n = 69) of UPEC and 20% (n = 22) of control isolates (P = 0.0001). Haemolysin production was observed in 34(32.3%) of uroisolates and 12 (11.4%) of control strain. Similarly, 62% of UPEC and 1% of control produced biofilm (P = 0.0001). The expression of Mannose-resistant hemagglutinin (MRHA) and mannose-sensitive hemagglutinin (MSHA) in uroisolates were 52.3% (n = 55) and 5.7% (n = 6) respectively, whereas in faecal isolates, 8.5% (n = 9) expressed MRHA and none produced MSHA. Antimicrobial resistance showed a high degree of resistance towards ampicillin, cotrimoxazole and norfloxacin. The resistance was observed in significant higher degree in biofilm formers as compared to non-formers. MDR and ESBL was observed in 51 and 46% of test strains and 9 and 7.6% of control strains (P = 0.0001).ConclusionA significant association between virulence factors of UPEC and antimicrobial resistance in UPEC was present. Routine testing of these factors and co-relation with AMR is recommended. These findings will certainly help understand the pathogenicity and proper management of UTI patients, thus decreasing the improper use of antibiotics.

Detection of fimbriae mediated adhesion/mannose resistant hemagglutinin among urinary isolates of Escherichia coli

Background: E.coli is the most frequent urinary pathogen isolated from 50-90% of all uncomplicated UTI’s. E.coli present in the gastrointestinal tract as commensals provide the proof for the initiation of UTI. In the late 1970’s it was recognised for the first time that E.coli strain causing UTI typically agglutinate human RBC’s despite the presence of mannose and this was mediated by fimbriae which serves as a virulence factor. Materials and methods: A sum of 20 isolates of E.coli is obtained from suspected cases of UTI which will be subjected for antibiotic susceptibility testing and presence of mannose resistant hemagglutinin by hemagglutination assay. Result: Out of 20 clinical isolates of E.coli, 4/20 (20%) isolates from acute cases of UTI and 2/20 (10%) strained received from chronic UTI cases also showed mannose resistant hemagglutinin. Conclusion: Our study reveals , there was a association between presence of Type 1 fimbriae and UTI . These isolates were also resistant to multiple antibiotics represents that, there is a need for judicial usage of antibiotics for the proper clinical outcome.

Stress tolerant virulent strains of Cronobacter sakazakii from food.

BackgroundCronobacter sakazakii is considered as an emerging foodborne pathogen. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize virulent strains of Cronobacter sakazakii from food samples of Bangladesh.ResultSix (6) Cronobacter sakazakii was isolated and identified from 54 food samples on the basis of biochemical characteristics, sugar fermentation, SDS-PAGE of whole cell protein, plasmid profile and PCR of Cronobacter spp. specific genes (esak, gluA, zpx, ompA, ERIC, BOX-AIR) and sequencing. These strains were found to have moderately high antibiotic resistance against common antibiotics and some are ESBL producer. Most of the C. sakazakii isolates were capable of producing biofilm (strong biofilm producer), extracellular protease and siderophores, curli expression, haemolysin, haemagglutinin, mannose resistant haemagglutinin, had high cell surface hydrophobicity, significant resistance to human serum, can tolerate high concentration of salt, bile and DNase production. Most of them produced enterotoxins of different molecular weight. The isolates pose significant serological cross-reactivity with other gram negative pathogens such as serotypes of Salmonella spp., Shigella boydii, Shigella sonnei, Shigella flexneri and Vibrio cholerae. They had significant tolerance to high temperature, low pH, dryness and osmotic stress.ConclusionSpecial attention should be given in ensuring hygiene in production and post-processing to prevent contamination of food with such stress-tolerant virulent Cronobacter sakazakii.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/0717-6287-47-63) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Comparative Analysis of Virulence Factors of Escherichia coli from Non-enteric Infections

There is correlation between cert ain properties of E. coli strains and capacity of the strain to cause non-enteric infections. The aim of this study was to compare Escherichia coli strains isolated from non-enteric infection with those from faeces of normal healthy individuals, for their possession of haemolysin, mannoseresistanthaemagglutinin, colicin, protease, cell surface hydrophobicity and antibiotic susceptibility. Source wise distribution of the haemolytic strains were 60% from urine, 41.7% from blood, 33.3% from peritoneal fluid, 50% from pus and 26.7% from stool. Colicinogeny was found to be a common property of both clinical and faecal E. coli and only a few of the urine and blood isolates (52 and 41.7%, respectively) exhibited colicin V activity. Mannose Resistant Haemagglutinin (MRHA) test showed positive (MRHA) reaction for 47.7% of the clinical E. coli isolates, while this value was only 26.7% for the controls. A significant association between haemolysin production and MRHA of human type O erythrocytes was found, as 75.86% of the Hly E. coli strains were also MRHA. The data obtained in this study suggested that haemolysin production, MRHA of human type O erythrocytes and hydrophobic cell surface might be important for E. coli strains to initiate and sustain infection at non-enteri c sites. Received: June 12, 2012; Accepted: June 21, 2012; Published: August 11, 201

생육조건에 따른 Salmonella typhimurium의 숙주세포 부착성

Salmonella typhimurium TML이 Int-407 숙주세포에 부착하는 정도는 S. typhimurium이 낮은 농도의 철이 함유된 배지에서 배양되었을 때보다 LB 액체배지 또는 높은 농도의 철이 함유된 배지에서 생육한 것에서 약 10배 정도의 높은 수준으로 관찰되었다. 고농도의 철이 포함된 배양조건이 살모넬라가 숙주세포에 부착시키는 정도를 향상시키는데 반해, 칼슘, 코발트, 구리, 인산, 마그네슘 그리고 망간과 같은 다른 양이온은 그렇지 않다. 이것은 아마도 철이 Salmonella가 부착에 필요한 요소들의 발현을 활성화하는 역할을 하는 것으로 추정된다. 철 농도에 따른 부착정도의 차이들은 type 1 fimbriae, mannose resistant hemagglutinin과 flagellum등을 생성하지 않는 다양한 S. typhimurium 돌연변이주들에서도 관찰되는 것으로 미루어보아 이들 구조체들과 상관이 없는 밝혀지지 않은 어떤 인자가 부착성 증가에 관여하는 것으로 사료된다. fur유전자가 불활성화된 S. typhimurium 돌연변이주의 부착성이 야생형 Salmonella와 유사한 방식으로 철에 의해 조절되었는데, 이는 철 농도에 따른 부착성의 변화에 관여하는 잠재적인자의 발현이 Fur 단백질과 독립적으로 이루어진다는 것을 나타낸다. An approximately 10-fold higher level of adherence of Salmonella typhimurium strain TML to Int-407 cells was observed with organisms grown in Luria broth or in high-iron containing medium than those grown in low-iron containing medium. Iron specifically enhanced adherence, while other cations such as calcium, cobalt, copper, potassium, magnesium and manganese did not. It was suggested that iron did not act as a passive ligand - probably it stimulated production of bacterial factors necessary for adherence. A similar pattern of iron modulation of adhesiveness was also seen in Salmonella mutants with single or different combinations of multiple mutations in genes encoding the mannose sensitive hemagglutinin (type 1 fimbriae), mannose resistant hemagglutinin and flagellum. The adhesiveness of an isogenic fur mutant was modulated by iron in a manner similar to the wild-type strain, suggesting that iron modulation of adherence is independent of the fur gene product.

Patterns and properties of haemagglutinins expressed by Shigella serogroups in Lagos, Nigeria.

Forty-five strains of Shigella were screened for haemagglutinin production and broad-spectrum haemagglutination reaction. Mannose-sensitive haemagglutinin (MSHA) was found in 22 strains [Shigella flexneri (7), S. dysenteriae (7), S. sonnei (3), and S. boydii (5)]. Eighteen strains harboured mannose-resistant haemagglutinin (MRHA), and 8 strains were observed to be non-haemagglutinating to guinea pig erythrocyte. With the exception of human erythrocytes (O, A, B, and AB), the observed MSHA and MRHA also agglutinated the erythrocytes of rabbit, sheep, rat, chicken, and horse, suggesting a broad-spectrum haemagglutinating property. Haemagglutinins of S. flexneri and S. dysenteriae elicited a relatively stronger haemagglutinating activity with agglutinability to chicken and rabbit erythrocytes enhanced by trypsinization. Haemagglutination reaction with guinea pig erythrocyte was generally inhibited by sialic acid, while simple sugars, such as D-glucose, D-galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine, N-acetylglucosamine, and D-rhamnose, elicited no inhibitory effect. The results of the study revealed broad-spectrum haemagglutinin expression by circulating Shigella strains in Nigeria.

Antibiotic resistance and putative virulence factors of Serratia marcescens with respect to O and K serotypes.

Serratia marcescens serotypes O6:K14, O8:K14 and O28:K28 are common in the natural environment, but rare in hospitals. Serotypes O14:K14 and O27:K14 predominate among clinical strains, but not in the environment, suggesting that the latter serotypes may be more suited for survival in the clinical setting. Consequently, 469 epidemiologically distinct strains of S. marcescens were tested for various putative virulence factors and analysed for associations with serotype. The factors positively associated with serotype O14:K14 were agglutination of five different species of red blood cells and expression of type 1 fimbriae. These were found in 63% and 53% of O14:K14 strains, respectively, compared with 7% and 12% of the three 'environmental serotypes'. Almost a quarter of the collection expressed the mannose-resistant haemagglutinin indicative of type 3 fimbriae, but this was not associated with any serotype. The production of DNAase, haemolysin, lipase, lecithinase, proteases and siderophores was almost universal and showed no serotype correlations. Almost half of the strains (46%) were resistant to serum and serotypes O27:K14 and O6:K14 were strongly associated with this characteristic. Serotype O27:K14 was also associated with higher proportions of antibiotic-resistant strains than other serotypes, but the same was not true of serotype O14:K14. All three 'environmental serotypes' were associated with low frequencies of antibiotic resistance; <12% were resistant to gentamicin, carbenicillin or piperacillin, or any combination of these three, compared with 20-25% of O14:K14 strains and >42-51% of O27:K14 strains. Pigment production was strongly associated with serotype. None of the O14:K14 or O27:K14 strains produced prodigiosin, but frequencies for the three 'environmental serotypes' ranged from 31% of O28:K28 strains to 85% of O6:K14 strains. The results of this study suggest that the adherence capability of S. marcescens strains may play a role in the colonisation of hospital patients, while the production of prodigiosin is a marker of environmental origin.

Characterization of Escherichia coli isolated from foals

Serotype, biotype, antibiogram, hemolysin production, fimbrial hemagglutinins, select toxin genes (STb, STaP, LT, slt1 and slt2) and the attaching effacing ( eae) gene were determined for 99 foal strains of E. coli. E. coli from diarrheic and normal foals could not be distinguished by serotype, biotype, or antibiogram. Differences ( P ≤ 0.05) were observed in hemolysin production (11.5% vs. 0%) and the expression of mannose-resistant hemagglutinins (23% vs. 13%) among E. coli from diarrheic and healthy foals, respectively. Three of the E. coli strains from diarrheic foals were positive with probes for slt genes and one was positive for STb and LT genes. One strain from a healthy foal possessed the STb gene. As determined by the polymerase chain reaction, 8 strains possessed the eae gene. Seven of the 8 strains were from diarrheic foals and one eae-positive strain was from a healthy foal. The slt-positive strains did not possess eae genes and the eae-positive strains did not possess slt genes. These results indicate that enterotoxigenic strains of E. coli are not implicated in any substantial degree in sporadic foal diarrhea. However, the identification of slt-positive and eae-positive strains in foal feces indicate the presence of potentially virulent strains among foals.

The Effect of Bacterial Surface Structures on the Pathogenesis of Salmonella typhimurium Infection in Chickens

Mutants of Salmonella typhimurium strain SR11 containing Tn10 insertions in genes encoding for the motility and fimbriation phenotypes were evaluated for adhesion, invasion, and virulence in avian models. Mutations abolishing mannose-sensitive or mannose-resistant hemagglutination did not influence adherence or invasion in epithelial cells in vitro. A double hemagglutinin-deficient mutant, lacking both mannose-sensitive and mannose-resistant hemagglutinins, was diminished in ability to adhere to chick kidney epithelial cells in vitro, but invasion in vitro was not significantly affected. Compared with the wild-type parent, mutations that decreased motility reduced invasion levels in vitro and increased the peroral LD50 in one-day-old chicks. A mutant deficient in both motility and mannose-sensitive hemagglutination was greatly reduced in its ability to invade epithelial cells in vitro and persist in the liver and spleen of orally challenged chicks. Results of this study indicate that loss of motility in S. typhimurium attenuates peroral virulence in chicks.

Cloning, sequencing, and viscometric adhesion analysis of heat-resistant agglutinin 1, an integral membrane hemagglutinin from Escherichia coli O9:H10:K99

The gene encoding a mannose-resistant hemagglutinating protein was cloned from Escherichia coli O9:H10:K99. The hemagglutinin is different from two other mannose-resistant hemagglutinins in this strain, K99 and F41. The agglutinin, named heat-resistant agglutinin 1 (HRA1) since heating to 70 degrees C does not destroy its aggregative properties, strongly agglutinates human, pig, and dog erythrocytes, shows little or no affinity towards cow and chicken erythrocytes, but agglutinates human colon adenocarcinoma 201 (COLO 201) cells. The hra1 gene present on the recombinant plasmid pETE1 was localized by subcloning, and its nucleotide sequence was determined. The gene consists of a 792-bp open reading frame coding for a putative protein of 29 kDa with a predicted N-terminal secretory signal sequence. HRA1 shares no significant identity with data base protein sequences. HRA1 is strongly associated with the bacterial membrane, resisting sonication and isolation attempts based upon standard adhesin purification techniques. N-terminal sequencing of a unique 25-kDa band present in polyacrylamide gels of outer membrane preparations of bacteria harboring pETE1 correlated with the predicted N-terminal amino acid sequence of HRA1 after cleavage of the signal peptide. A viscometric agglutination assay sensitive to the strength of bacterial adhesion shows that the agglutination mediated by bacteria expressing HRA1 is weaker than that of bacteria bearing the F41 adhesin, probably because of the high-molecular-weight, multivalent nature of the latter adhesin. Our observations suggest that HRA1 is a monomeric outer membrane agglutinin.

Ribotyping as an epidemiologic tool for Escherichia coli.

Restriction fragment length polymorphism of ribosomal RNA genes was analysed among 133 Escherichia coli strains predominantly from blood and urine, including 21 isolates from faeces of healthy persons. The strains had also been characterized for their O:K:H serotypes, for the presence of P, S and type 1C fimbriae, non-P, non-S mannose-resistant haemagglutinins and haemolysin production. Hind III-digested genomic DNA was subjected to Southern blot analysis with either plasmid pKK3535 containing E. coli rRNA operon or purified rRNA as a probe. Among the 133 strains 20 ribotypes were obtained. The distribution of strains into different ribotypes generally correlated with their O:K:H serotype. Ribotype variation within serotypes was mainly seen among strains with the K5 capsule. The origin of the strains or the presence of virulence-associated factors did not correlate with the ribotype. In conclusion, ribotyping appears to be a valuable method in epidemiologic studies especially when the serotyping methods are not available.

Genetic structures of the B2 and B1 Escherichia coli strains responsible for extra-intestinal infections

Escherichia coli strains causing human extra-intestinal infections may be divided into two groups, B1 and B2 according to the electrophoretic patterns of carboxylesterase B. This study compares the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) for 45 B1 strains and 45 B2 strains to examine the genetic structure of B2 strains and to distinguish them from B1 strains. The isolates were chosen for diversity in their allozymes of esterases, B, A, C and I, their production of virulence factors (alpha-haemolysin, mannose resistant haemagglutinin and cytotoxic necrotizing factor) and certain O antigens, and their pathological and geographical origins. DNA was digested with HindIII and BamHI restriction enzymes and analysed by Southern blotting. The resulting rDNA RFLP patterns of B2 strains were distinct from those of the B1 strains. Moreover, the B2 strains appeared to be less heterogeneous than the B1 strains. The B2 strains gave 13 ribotypes (resulting from the combination of the rDNA RFLP patterns obtained with HindIII and BamHI digestions) while the B1 strains gave 32 ribotypes. Correspondence analysis of the data showed that several clusters of strains were identified in the B2 strains by particular ribotypes, certain associations of esterase B and A electrophoretic variants, O serotypes and virulence factor production. In contrast, these parameters appeared to be unrelated in the B1 strains, reflecting their heterogeneity. These findings, which differentiate two levels of genetic heterogeneity within E. coli pathogenic isolates, indicate that the B2 strains constitute a phylogenetically distinct group within the species.

Adherence of enterotoxigenicKlebsiella pneumoniaeto hela cells and expression of type 3 fimbriae

In 1986, an outbreak of diarrheal disease in Texas was attributed to contaminated iced tea in whichKlebsiella pneumoniaewas the predominant flora. Although the ten strains tested were of different serotypes, they all produced a heat labile enterotoxin. Some of these enterotoxigenic strains (ETKP) also exhibited mannose-resistant hemagglutinins, which were later found to be type 3 MR/K fimbriae. In this study we extended our observations and investigated fimbrial expression, as well as HeLa cell adherence behavior, using negative staining, immunogold labeling, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).ETKP strains were grown on colonization factor antigen agar overnight at 37° C for expression of fimbriae. The presence of fimbriae and immunogold labeling of the cells was determined as described by Wolfeet al.Antiserum was prepared against purified fimbriae in rabbits and dilutions of primary and secondary antibodies (goat anti-rabbit IgG conjugated with 10 nm gold particles) in phosphate buffered saline, pH 7.2, containing 1 % bovine serum albumin and 0.5% Tween 20 were used to label cells.

Establishment of three categories of P-fimbriated Escherichia coli strains that show different toxic phenotypes and belong to particular O serogroups.

Eight hundred and nineteen strains of Escherichia coli isolated in Spain between 1986 and 1991 from extraintestinal infections and feces of healthy controls were investigated for expression of P-fimbriae using a particle agglutination test. Among strains causing urinary tract infections, sepsis and other extraintestinal infections, P-fimbriae were found in 31% (130/420) (P < 0.001), 25% (30/118) (P < 0.001) and 12% (11/92) (P < 0.5) respectively. In contrast, only 7% (14/189) of faecal isolates from healthy individuals carried P-fimbriae. According to two more common toxic markers detected in this study (alpha-haemolysin and cytotoxic necrotizing factor type 1), P-fimbriated E. coli strains were grouped into three categories: haemolysin+cytotoxic necrosing factor+ (Hly+CNF1+) (68/185; 37%), haemolysin+cytotoxic necrosing factor- (Hly+CNF1-) (61/185; 33%) and Hly-CNF1- (56/185; 30%). The 185 P-fimbriated strains belonged to 17 different O serogroups. However, 148 (80%) were of one of six serogroups (O1, O2, O4, O6, O7 and O18). The most frequent serogroups determined in the Hly+CNF1+ strains were the O4 and O6 (53/68; 78%), in the Hly+CNF1- strains it was the O18 (27/61; 44%) and in the Hly-CNF1- strains the O1, O2 and O7 (41/56; 73%). The majority (160/185; 86%) of P-fimbriated E. coli expressed the mannose-resistant haemagglutinin type IVa.

Establishment of three categories of P-fimbriatedEscherichia colistrains that show different toxic phenotypes and belong to particular O serogroups

Eight hundred and nineteen strains of Escherichia coli isolated in Spain between 1986 and 1991 from extraintestinal infections and feces of healthy controls were investigated for expression of P-fimbriae using a particle agglutination test. Among strains causing urinary tract infections, sepsis and other extraintestinal infections, P-fimbriae were found in 31% (130/420) (P < 0.001), 25% (30/118) (P < 0.001) and 12% (11/92) (P < 0.5) respectively. In contrast, only 7% (14/189) of faecal isolates from healthy individuals carried P-fimbriae. According to two more common toxic markers detected in this study (alpha-haemolysin and cytotoxic necrotizing factor type 1), P-fimbriated E. coli strains were grouped into three categories: haemolysin+cytotoxic necrosing factor+ (Hly+CNF1+) (68/185; 37%), haemolysin+cytotoxic necrosing factor- (Hly+CNF1-) (61/185; 33%) and Hly-CNF1- (56/185; 30%). The 185 P-fimbriated strains belonged to 17 different O serogroups. However, 148 (80%) were of one of six serogroups (O1, O2, O4, O6, O7 and O18). The most frequent serogroups determined in the Hly+CNF1+ strains were the O4 and O6 (53/68; 78%), in the Hly+CNF1- strains it was the O18 (27/61; 44%) and in the Hly-CNF1- strains the O1, O2 and O7 (41/56; 73%). The majority (160/185; 86%) of P-fimbriated E. coli expressed the mannose-resistant haemagglutinin type IVa.

Virulence factors in Escherichia coli from urinary tract infections in patients with spinal injuries

A collection of 70 strains of Escherichia coli from urinary tract infections in spine-injured patients undergoing long-term bladder catheterization were tested for characteristics that have been associated with the ability to produce pyelonephritis. The incidence of the virulence factors were: mannose-resistant haemagglutinins (30%), P-fimbriae (17%), haemolysin (27%), K-antigens (28%) and aerobactin (by bioassay 33%, by gene probe 39%). Only 54% of the strains belonged to the O-serotypes usually associated with urinary tract infections. E. coli carrying the full complement of virulence factors were rare in the urinary tract of the spinal patients and were not associated with episodes of symptomatic pyelonephritis. It is clear that the neuropathic bladder and the presence of the catheter permits a wide variety of bacterial types to colonize the urinary tract and cause infection of the kidney. The identification of host markers rather than bacterial factors is suggested as a more fruitful approach to the early detection of cases likely to progress to pyelonephritis in this group of patients.

Haemagglutinins and fimbriae of soft rot Erwinias.

Strains of phytopathogenic soft rot Erwinia spp. were examined for haemagglutinin (HA) production. Mannose-sensitive HA was found only in five of 15 strains of E. carotovora subsp. carotovora. Mannose-resistant HA (MRHA) was found in 12 of 15 strains of E.c. carotovora, ten of 13 strains of E.c. subsp. atroseptica and the single strain of E.c. subsp. betavasculorum, as well as all seven strains of E. chrysanthemi. MRHA, detectable only in a microtitre tray HA assay was of either broad- or narrow-spectrum activity when examined against blood of seven different animal species and could be inhibited by the beta-galactoside asialofetuin. Fimbriae of ca 10 nm diameter were found on MRHA(+) bacteria E.c. carotovora and E.c. atroseptica.

Characterization of highly virulentEscherichia colistrains by ribosomal DNA restriction fragment length polymorphism

Patterns of ribosomal DNA polymorphism were examined to compare carboxylesterase B type B1 strains and B2 strains of Escherichia coli isolated from extra-intestinal infections. DNA from 14 type B2 strains showing the presence of alpha-haemolysin and mannose-resistant haemagglutinin and lethality to mice and 14 type B1 strains lacking these characteristics, was digested with HindIII, EcoRI, BamHI or BglII restriction enzymes and analysed by Southern blotting. The obtained ribotypes clearly differentiated the B2 strains from the B1 strains. These results indicate that genotypes of the highly virulent B2 strains are different from that of the less virulent B1 strains.

Characterization of highly virulent Escherichia coli strains by ribosomal DNA restriction fragment length polymorphism

Patterns of ribosomal DNA polymorphism were examined to compare carboxylesterase B type B1 strains and B2 strains of Escherichia coli isolated from extra-intestinal infections. DNA from 14 type B2 strains showing the presence of alpha-haemolysin and mannose-resistant haemagglutinin and lethality to mice and 14 type B1 strains lacking these characteristics, was digested with HindIII, EcoRI, BamHI or BglII restriction enzymes and analysed by Southern blotting. The obtained ribotypes clearly differentiated the B2 strains from the B1 strains. These results indicate that genotypes of the highly virulent B2 strains are different from that of the less virulent B1 strains.

Production of a mannose-resistant fibrillar haemagglutinin by strains of Escherichia coli of EPEC serotype O111:H12

Two strains of Escherichia coli of serotype O111:H12 produced a mannose-resistant haemagglutinin (MREHA) of Duguid's pattern 7 that reacted strongly with the red cells of ox and sheep. These strains also adhered to HEp2-epithelial cells and formed fibrillae demonstrable by negative staining and immunogold labelling.