Linkage of genes for heat-stable enterotoxin, drug resistance, K99 antigen, and colicin in bovine and porcine strains of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

Linkages among genes for production of Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin (ST), drug resistance, K99 antigen, and colicin were investigated in 2 bovine and 3 porcine strains of enterotoxigenic E coli. In conjugation experiments, all 5 isolates transferred enterotoxigenicity and the ability to produce K99; 4 of the 5 isolates also transferred antibiotic resistance markers, and 3 colicinogenic strains transmitted the ability to produce colicin. In 2 of the 3 colicin-producing strains, the genes for colicin were located along with those for K99 and ST on a single plasmid. One of these 2 strains transferred the genes for tetracycline resistance and production of both mouse-active ST (STa) and mouse-inactive ST, whereas the other transmitted the gene(s) for STa only. Transformation studies with the 3rd strain revealed that the K99 determinant resided on a 22-megadalton (Mdal)R plasmid, and that STa and colicin production were on a 65-Mdal plasmid. Analysis of the plasmids from the transformation experiments revealed that the larger plasmid was conjugative and the smaller plasmid was nonconjugative; stable cointegrate formation occurred between these 2 plasmids. Genetic information coding for the production of STa and K99 were also present on a single plasmid of approximately 80 Mdal in both noncolicinogenic strains.     

Preliminary characterization of Escherichia coli isolated from pigs with diarrhoea in Venezuela

The aetiology of neonatal porcine diarrhoea was studied in 15 different herds located in the north-western region of Venezuela. Of 56 strains of Escherichia coli analyzed, 16 (28.6%) were shown to produce heat-stable (STa) enterotoxin, as detected by infant mouse assay. Only four of these STa+ isolates also possessed the K88 pilus antigen, two were 987P+ and none possessed the K99 antigen, leaving 10 STa+ samples in which no pilus antigen was identified. Among the 40 STa negative samples were six K88+ specimens, one K99+, four 987P+, one which reacted as K88+ + K99+ and one K88+ + 987P+. Considering as pathogenic any strain showing at least one of the characters studied, pathogenic E. coli were detected with an overall frequency of 42.9%, being more prevalent during the second week of life. An electrophoretic analysis of the plasmid content of the field isolates of E. coli, revealed the presence of numerous species of extrachromosomal DNA, although no direction association could be made between a particular plasmid and any of the pathogenic characteristics identified. Results of Southern blot analysis indicate that the STa enterotoxin was preferentially encoded within an endemic plasmid of 4.9 Md. Other plasmids present in the E. coli isolates could be related to antibiotic resistance. With the exception of one strain, all E. coli isolates were resistant to more than one of the nine drugs tested; multiresistant E. coli were frequently isolated, including four strains which were resistant to seven antibiotics.     

Prevalence of the enteroaggregative Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin 1 gene and its relationship with fimbrial and enterotoxin genes in E. coli isolated from diarrheic piglets.

A total of 720 Escherichia coli strains isolated from diarrheic piglets on 756 swine farms were screened for the presence of the enteroaggregative E. coli heat-stable enterotoxin 1 (EAST1) gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Escherichia coli strains that carried EAST1 genes were also tested by PCR for the presence of 4 fimbriae (F4, F5, F6, F41), 2 heat-stable enterotoxins (STa and STb), and 1 heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) gene. One hundred sixty-four (22.7%) of the 720 E. coli isolates carried genes for EAST1. Of these 164 isolates, 62 (37.8%) carried EAST1 genes only, 11 (6.7%) carried genes for at least 1 of the fimbrial adhesins, 51 (31.1%) carried genes for at least 1 of the enterotoxins, and 40 (23.8%) carried genes for at least 1 of the fimbrial adhesins and enterotoxins. Forty-six percent of strains that carried EAST1 genes carried STa genes, and 16% of strains that carried EAST1 genes carried F4. The isolation rate of enterotoxigenic E. coli strains carrying genes for EAST1 gene was 63%. The 6 major genotypes observed in this study (in decreasing order) were EAST1+, EAST1+STa+, EAST1+STa+STb+, EAST1+STa+F5+, EAST1+STa+F4+, and EAST1+STb+F4+. EAST1 is widely prevalent among diarrheagenic strains of E. coli and may represent an important virulence determinant in the pathogenesis of enteric colibacillosis of preweaned pigs.     

Fimbriae and enterotoxins associated with Escherichia coli serogroups isolated from pigs with colibacillosis

A comprehensive study of 223 Escherichia coli isolates from pigs with colibacillosis included determination of O serogroups, detection of heat-labile enterotoxin, heat-stable enterotoxin (STa and STb), and identification of K88, K99, 987-P, F-41, and type 1 fimbriae. The incidence of the various E coli types among isolates of pigs of different ages was also determined. Escherichia coli bearing K88 fimbriae accounted for 48% of all isolates studied, were most often of serogroup O157, O149, or O8, and usually produced labile toxin alone or in combination with STa or STb. These E coli were commonly isolated from pigs in each age group studied (0 to 5 days, 6 to 10 days, 11 to 24 days, and greater than 24 days). Escherichia coli bearing 987-P accounted for 30% of the isolates, were most often of serogroup O141 or O20, and usually produced STa. Escherichia coli bearing K99 accounted for 13% of the isolates, usually were of serogroup O101 or O8, and almost always produced STa. Escherichia coli bearing 987-P or K99 were most often isolated from pigs less than 6 days of age. Fimbriae F-41, when identified, were usually on E coli of serotype O101:K99. Although infrequently found, type 1 fimbriae were on E coli of most of the serogroups identified in this study.     

Prevalence of four enterotoxin (STaP, STaH, STb, and LT) and four adhesin subunit (K99, K88, 987P, and F41) genes among Escherichia coli isolates from cattle

Colony hybridizations with DNA probes for 3 heat-stable (STaP, STaH, and STb) enterotoxins and 1 heat-labile (LT) enterotoxin and for 4 adhesins (K99, F41, K88, 987P) were performed on 870 Escherichia coli isolates to determine pathotypes prevalent among enterotoxigenic E coli (ETEC) isolated from cattle in Belgium. One hundred thirty-two E coli isolates (15.2%) hybridized with probes STaP, K99, and/or F41. The 5 other probes were not hybridized by E coli isolates. Therefore, only STaP enterotoxin and K99 and F41 adhesins were virulence factors of ETEC isolated from cattle. Two major pathotypes accounted for 95% of the ETEC: STaP+K99+F41+ (67.4%) and STaP+K99+ (27.3%). The last 5% of probe-positive isolates had STaP+, STaP+F41+, or K99+F41+ minor pathotypes. Of 12 American ETEC isolates also assayed, 7 were positive with STb and/or 987P probes (pathotypes STaP+STb+, STaP+ 987P+, or STaP+STb+987P+) and may be porcine- rather than bovine-specific enteropathogens. The remaining 5 American ETEC isolates belonged to 3 minor pathotypes (STaP+, STaP+F41+, and K99+F41+) also found among Belgian E coli isolates. Such isolates may be derivatives of STaP+K99+F41+ or STaP+K99+ ETEC after in vivo or in vitro loss of virulence genes and/or non-ETEC isolates, which have acquired virulence genes by in vivo transfer.     

致犊牛腹泻肠毒素大肠杆菌多重PCR检测方法的建立

肠毒素大肠杆菌((Ent erot oxi geni c E.col i,ETEC)是引起犊牛腹泻的主要病原之一。本试验建立了多重PCR检测ETEC毒力因子F41菌毛、K99菌毛和STa、LT肠毒素相关基因的技术方法。试验对影响PCR扩增的dNTP、引物浓度以及退火温度等因素进行优化,确定了多重PCR的特异性和灵敏性。结果表明:所建立的多重PCR方法快速、特异、灵敏,在2.5h-3h内就可以完成,为致犊牛腹泻肠毒素大肠杆菌的快速准确检测提供另一种选择。     

Escherichia coli strains isolated from diarrheic piglets in the Province of Quebec.

During 1972 to 1974, 112 Escherichia coli strains isolated from diarrheic piglets were recieved from different parts of the Province of Quebec, Canada. Fifty-six strains elicited a positive gut loop response in three week old piglets and were then considered as Moon's class 1 enteropathogens, while four of the 56 remaining strains reacted only in ten day old piglets and were classified as class 2 enteropathogens. Forty-eight strains produced both a heat-labile and a heat-stable enterotoxin, while 12 isolates which included the four class 2 enteropathogens produced only a heat-stable enterotoxin. Fifty-one enterotoxigenic strains could be serogrouped using OK antisera against E. coli strains commonly associated with colibacillosis in piglets. The most common serogroups encountered were O157: K "V17"; 88a,c, O149:K91; 88a.c. O157:K"V1c, O149:K91; 88a.c, O157:K"V17"; 88 a,c or a,b and O45:K"E5"; 88a,c. No significant difference was observed in the fermentation patterns, antibiotic susceptibility, colicin production, production of a filterable hemolysin and transferable tetracycline resistance between the enterotoxigenic and the nonenterotoxigenic strains.     

牛产肠毒素大肠杆菌毒力因子多重PCR检测方法的建立

通过多重PCR扩增产肠毒素大肠杆菌（enterotoxigentic E.coli，ETEC）的毒力因子F41菌毛、K99菌毛和STa肠毒素的编码基因来检测和鉴定ETEC。试验中对影响PCR扩增的dNTP、Mg^2＋、引物浓度以及退火温度等因素进行优化，在优化条件的基础上，确定多重PCR的特异性和灵敏性，以此建立同时检测ETEC多个毒力因子的多重PCR方法。用该方法对分离于犊牛腹泻和犊牛肠毒血症的7株大肠杆菌进行检测，结果2株为F41、K99和STa阳性，4株为F41、STa阳性，1株为K99STa阳性。这与玻片凝集试验检测菌毛的结果一致。试验表明，该方法特异性强、敏感性高、简便、快速，适用于临床鉴定和检测牛ETEC菌株。     

Prevalence of genotypes for fimbriae and enterotoxins and of O serogroups in Escherichia coli isolated from diarrheic piglets in Korea.

Polymerase chain reaction for 4 fimbriae (F4, F5, F6, F41), 2 heat-stable enterotoxins (STa, STb), and 1 heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) were performed on 400 Escherichia coli isolates to determine their genotype prevalence among enterotoxigenic E. coli isolates from preweaned pigs with diarrhea in the Republic of Korea. A total of 200 of the 400 E. coli isolates were also selected for characterization of the O serogroup. Of these 200 isolates, serogroup could be determined in 139 (69.5%) but not in 61 isolates (30.5%). Isolates of serogroup O101 were the most common, followed in descending order by 08, 020, 0162, 0141, and 0149. Ninety-seven (24.3%) of the 400 E. coli isolates carried genes for at least 1 of the entertoxins or fimbrial adhesins. Of these 97 isolates, 27 carried genes for at least 1 of the fimbrial adhesins and entertoxins. Sixty-six percent of the isolates that carried fimbrial adhesin genes carried genes for at least 1 of the enterotoxins, and 71% of the isolates that carried enterotoxin genes carried genes for at least 1 of the fimbrial adhesins. Genes for the F6 fimbriae were detected in 6% of the E. coli isolates, and F4+, F41+, and F5+ genes were detected in 4.3%, 3.3%, and 2% of the isolates, respectively. Genes for STa, STb, and LT were detected in 10%, 8.5%, and 4.3% of the isolates, respectively. The 6 major genotypes observed in this study (in decreasing order) were F6+, STb+, F41+, STa+STb+, F6+STa+, and STa+.     

Colicin resistance in relation to pathogenicity factors in strains of Escherichia coli isolated from the intestinal tract of piglets

Three hundred and fifteen E. coli strains isolated from the intestine of piglets were examined for K-antigens 88 and 99, enterotoxin production and colicin resistance. Of these strains 308 belonged to one of 3 following different groups: Group 1: 0149, K88, producing heat-labile (LT) and heat-stable (ST) enterotoxins, group 2: 064, K99, producing ST, and group 3: variable O-antigens, no K-antigens or enterotoxin production.Almost 100 % of the E. coli strains were found to be resistant to colicins E₁, E₃, Ia, H and D+X. Resistance to colicins E₂, B+M, V and K+X were found in 91.7 %, 43.8 %, 49.8 % and 62.2 % respectively.E. coli strains in group 1 were always (resistant to colicin E₂, while about 87 % of the other strains were resistant to this colicin. E. coli strains in group 2 were more often resistant to colicin B+M, V and K+X (65 %, 94 %, 83 %) than strains in group 1 (37 %, 24 %, 64 %) and strains in group 3 (37 %, 52 %, 46 %).E. coli strains in group 2 showed a high degree of multiresistance, 45.1 % of the strains being resistant to all of the 9 colicins. About 10 % of the other strains were resistant to all of the 9 colicins.E. coli strains harbouring the enteropathogenicity factors K99 antigen and ST production, showed a higher degree of colicin resistance than both the E. coli strains with K88 antigen and ST and LT production, and the E. coli strains lacking enteropathogenicity factors.     

Prevalence of the enteroaggregative Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin 1 (EAST1) gene in isolates in weaned pigs with diarrhea and/or edema disease

A total of 476 Escherichia coli isolated from weaned pigs with diarrhea and/or edema disease were screened for the presence of the enteroaggregative E. coli heat-stable enterotoxin 1 (EAST1) gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). E. coli strains that carried EAST1 genes were also tested by PCR for the presence of genes for five fimbriae (F4, F5, F6, F18 and F41), two heat-stable (STa and STb) and one heat-labile (LT) enterotoxin, and Shiga toxin 2e (Stx2e). One hundred and forty nine (31.3%) of the 476 E. coli isolates carried the gene for EAST1. Of these 149 isolates, 66 (44.3%) carried the east1 gene only and 83 (55.7%) carried genes for the fimbrial adhesins or enterotoxins. E. coli which carried east1 gene also possessed genes for STa or F4 frequently. EAST1 may represent an additional determinant in the pathogenesis of E. coli diarrhea in weaned pigs.     

Colicin production in relation to pathogenicity factors in strains of Escherichia coli isolated from the intestinal tract of piglets

Three hundred and fifteen E. coli strains isolated from piglets dead due to neonatal E. coli diarrhea or traumatic lesions, were examined for presence of enterotoxin production, K-antigens 88 and 99, antibiotic resistance and colicin-production.Almost 100 % of the E. coli strains positive on enterotoxin production produced colicin, while approx. 17 % of the non-enterotoxigenic strains did so.Ninety-nine % of the E. coli strains harbouring K-antigens were found to produce colicin, while approx. 23 % of the strains without detectable K-antigens did so.In strains where neither K-antigens nor enterotoxin production was found, resistance against tetracycline, neomycin and ampicillin, and sensitivity against streptomycin, was more commonly found among colicin-producing strains, than among strains without colicin production.     

Virulence factors in Escherichia coli isolated from piglets with neonatal and post-weaning diarrhea in Japan

A total of 567 strains of Escherichia coli were isolated from piglets with neonatal diarrhea (ND) or post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) in Japan. They were investigated for enterotoxigenicity and possession of adhesins and O antigens. There were clear differences between the strains of ND origin and those of PWD origin in the occurrence of enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) strains, type of enterotoxin and frequency of adhesins: ETEC was found in 77 (25.7%) of 300 strains of ND origin and in 137 (51.3%) of 267 strains of PWD origin. ETEC strains producing heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) or heat-stable enterotoxin (STa), alone or in combination were evenly distributed among the strains of PWD origin. In contrast most of the ETEC strains of ND origin produced LT alone. Adhesins appeared in 42 (54.5%) of 77 ETEC strains of ND origin and in 36 (26.3%) of 137 ETEC strains of PWD origin. Adhesins were less common in ETEC strains of PWD origin than in those of ND origin. Some K99-positive ETEC strains of PWD origin produced both LT and STa. There was a similarity in the distribution of O antigens, particularly O149 and O157, between the strains of ND origin and those of PWD origin.     

Isolation and association of Escherichia coli AIDA-I/STb, rather than EAST1 pathotype, with diarrhea in piglets and antibiotic sensitivity of isolates.

To identify emerging Escherichia coli that have the potential to cause diarrhea in pigs, the prevalence of E. coli pathotypes was determined among 170 and 120 isolates from diarrheic and nondiarrheic piglets, respectively. The isolates were tested for F4, F5, F6, F18, and F41 fimbriae, for E. coli attaching and effacing (EAE), porcine attaching and effacing-associated (Paa), and adhesin involved in diffuse adherence (AIDA-I) factors, for LT, STa, STb, and enteroaggregative heat-stable (EAST1) enterotoxins, and for Shiga toxins (Stxl, Stx2, and Stx2e), using DNA hybridization and polymerase chain reaction. All isolates were O-serotyped and tested for antibiotic resistance against 10 drugs. Seventeen different pathotypes, accounting for 40.0% of the isolates, were recovered from diarrheic piglets. The main pathotypes included EAST1 (13.5%), F4/LT/STb/EAST1 (6.5%), AIDA-I/STb/EAST1 (4.1%), F5/STa (2.9%), EAE/EAST1 (2.9%), and AIDA-I/F18 (2.3%). Only 3 pathotypes, EAE (11.7%), EAST1 (10.8%), and EAE/EAST1 (3.3%), were recovered from nondiarrheic piglets. Paa factor was detected in 8.8% and 7.5% of isolates from diarrheic and nondiarrheic piglets, respectively, and always was associated with other virulence determinants. Overall, 22.9% of isolates from diarrheic piglets appeared to be enteropathogens: enterotoxigenic E. coli (11.7%), enteropathogenic E. coli (3.5%), and E. coli isolates (3.0%) for which none of the above adherence factors was detected. Pathotypes AIDA-I/STb/EAST1 and AIDA-I/STb were isolated only from diarrheic piglets and accounted for 4.7% of isolates. Strains of these pathotypes induced diarrhea when inoculated into newborn colostrum-deprived pigs, in contrast to an isolate positive only for EAST1, which did not induce diarrhea. Antibiotic sensitivity test showed that isolates of the AIDA-I/STb/EAST1 and AIDA-I/STb pathotypes were the only strains sensitive to enrofloxacin, gentamicin, neomycin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. This study showed that at least 20.5% of isolates from diarrheic piglets appeared to be associated with AIDA-I/STb pathotype and that EAST1 pathotype is probably not an important marker for diarrhea in piglets.     

Virulence factors in Escherichia coli strains isolated from pigs in the Ribeirao Preto region, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Three-hundred faecal swabs were obtained from pigs with diarrhoea in farms located in different areas of the Ribeirao Preto region in the State of Sao Paulo. One-hundred Escherichia coli strains were isolated and tested for production of thermolabile (TL) and thermostable (STRa and STb) enterotoxins, and for the presence of colonization factors F4, F5 and F6. The strains were also tested for sensitivity to 14 antibiotics and chemotherapeutic agents. Twenty-four Escherichia coli strains produced enterotoxin STb, 5 produced LT and 3 produced STa. In the mannose-resistant haemagglutination reaction, one strain reacted positively with sheep, chicken, horse and human red blood cells and another reacted positively with guinea pig, sheep, chicken, horse and human red cells. However, both strains were negative for colonization factors F4, F5 and F6 when submitted to the slide agglutination test. All Escherichia coli strains were resistant to at least one antibiotic, the highest percentages being obtained for resistance to penicillin, tetracycline and cephalotin. In addition to the importance of the virulence factors normally encountered in enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains from pigs, the present results show the possible existence of new colonization factors other than F4, F5 and F6 participating in E. coli-induced pigs colibacillosis in the Ribeirao Preto region.     

Prevalence of virulence genes in Escherichia coli strains recently isolated from young pigs with diarrhea in the US

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC)-associated post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) is economically one of the most important diseases for the swine industry. Porcine ETEC strains typically express K88 or F18 fimbria and heat-labile (LT) and/or heat-stable (STa, STb) enterotoxins. However, recent studies indicate that EAST1 toxin, adhesin involved in diffuse adherence (AIDA-I) and porcine attaching and effacing-associated factor (paa) may also be expressed by ETEC strains associated with diarrhea. To better understand the virulence factors of E. coli strains that cause PWD, we applied PCR to screen for K88, F18, F41, 987P and K99 fimbrial genes; LT, STa, STb, Stx2e and EAST1 toxic genes; and AIDA-I, paa and EAE adhesin genes in E. coli strains recently isolated from young pigs with PWD in the US. Of 304 E. coli isolates from diarrheic pigs submitted for testing, 175 (57.6%) strains possessed fimbrial genes: K88 (64.6%), F18 (34.3%), F41 (0.57%), K99 (0.57%), 987P (0); toxin genes: LT (57.7%), STb (72.6%), STa (27.4%), STx2e (17.4%), EAST1 (35%); and adhesin genes: AIDA-I (26.9%), paa (60%), EAE (1.1%). All toxin genes except the EAST1 toxin gene, were almost exclusively associated with K88+ or F18+ isolates, and most of these isolates carried multiple toxin genes. The non-fimbrial adhesin paa was found present in over half of the K88+ isolates. A total of 129 (42%) isolates carried no fimbrial genes, including 66 (21.7%) isolates that did not have any of the above virulence genes. These results suggest a broad array of virulence genes associated with PWD in pigs.     

Comparative prevalence of four enterotoxin genes among Escherichia coli isolated from swine

Presence of Escherichia coli enterotoxin genes LT (heat-labile enterotoxin), STaP (heat-stable enterotoxin a, porcine genotype), STaH (heat-stable enterotoxin a, human genotype), and STb (heat-stable enterotoxin b) among 874 swine isolates of E coli was determined, using DNA probes and the DNA colony hybridization technique. Of the 874 isolates evaluated, 45% hybridized with at least one of the enterotoxin gene probes and were designated as enterotoxigenic E coli (ETEC). Eighty-five percent of the ETEC were from pigs with enteric colibacillosis. The remaining 15% were from pigs with edema disease or various other diseases, and from healthy swine. Seventy-four percent of the ETEC hybridized with the STb probe, 52% with STaP, and 31% with LT; ETEC did not hybridize with the STaH probe. Most of the ETEC hybridized with more than one enterotoxin gene probe. Isolates that hybridized with the LT probe also hybridized with STb. The most prevalent gene combination was LT-STb. However, 35% of the ETEC from neonatal (less than or equal to 1 week old) swine with enteric colibacillosis were of the STaP-only genotype, and 33% of the ETEC from older swine with enteric colibacillosis were of the STb-only genotype.     

Distribution of virulence genes in Escherichia coli strains isolated from diarrhoeic piglets in the Slovak Republic

Ninety-two Escherichia coli isolates from 14 to 28-day-old piglets that died because of diarrhoea were examined for genes for fimbriae (F4, F5, F6, F18 and F41), enterotoxins (STa, STb and LT), verotoxin (VT2e or Stx2e) and enteroaggregative heat-stable enterotoxin 1 (EAST1) by polymerase chain reaction. Twenty-two strains (24%) carried a gene for F4, whereas genes for F18, F6 and F5 + F41 were detected in 10.8, 3.3 and 1.1% of strains respectively. Genes for STb, LT, STa and Stx2e were detected in 40.2, 26.1, 14.1 and 1.1% of strains respectively. The astA gene was detected in 49 (53.3%) isolates, 35 of which also carried genes for enterotoxins and/or fimbriae. The major genotypes reached at (in decreasing order of prevalence) were F4/STb/LT/EAST1, F18/STa/STb/EAST1, STb/EAST1, F6/STa/STb/EAST1 and F18/STb/EAST1.     

Determination of K88 antigens and enterotoxins of Escherichia coli strains isolated from Polish piglets with diarrhea by the use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

We studied 103 Escherichia coli strains isolated from suckling and weaned piglets with diarrhea using different ELISA tests. K88 fimbrial antigen was determined by the slide agglutination test and the ELISA inhibition method. LT and STa enterotoxins were tested directly in the microtiter plates using monoclonal antibodies. It was found that 56.3% strains possessed K88 antigen, all of which were of the K88ac type. There was 100% correlation between the slide agglutination and ELISA tests. Of the 103 strains tested 68.9% produced LT or STa or both toxins. LT-positive strains were the most common ones in both groups of piglets. All K88-positive strains were enterotoxigenic and elaborated LT (56 strains) or LT and STa (2 strains); STb production was not determined in this study. Our ELISA tests were easy to perform, specific and can be used for determination of K88 and enterotoxins in E. coli strains isolated from piglets.     

Attachment of E. coli-bearing K88 antigen to equine brush-border membranes

Equine small intestinal brush-border membranes, from 40 adult horses were tested in vitro for the presence of receptors for the Escherichia coli adhesive antigens K88ab, K88ac and K99. Only K88-positive strains of E. coli adhered strongly to horse brush-border membranes. In contrast, a K88-negative mutant strain J2, 2 K99-positive strains and 3 E. coli strains isolated from foals failed to adhere to horse brush-border membranes. Purified K88ac pili when reacted with equine brush-border membranes inhibited to a great extent the adhesion of K88-positive E. coli. Similarly, K88-positive E. coli previously reacted with K88 antibody, did not attach to equine brush-border membranes. Oral inoculation of 4 newborn foals with strains of K88-positive enterotoxigenic E. coli, producing either heat-stable or heat-labile enterotoxin, caused diarrhoea in 1 animal.