Work

The role of capsular antigens in serum resistance and in vivo virulence ofEscherichia coli

Year: 1986

Type: article

Abstract: To identify critical microbial determinant(s) in serum resistance and in vivo virulence, 5 strains of Escherichia coli with different combinations of K and O types were examined along with their unencapsulated mutants. All 3 E. coli strains possessing the K1 capsule were considerably more resistant to normal human serum in vitro and more virulent in newborn rats than their isogenic mutants lacking the K1 capsule. In contrast, two K5 encapsulated strains and their unencapsulated mutants were essentially the same for their degree of serum resistance and in vivo virulence. These findings suggest that for the demonstration of serum resistance and in vivo virulence, a capsule is required for E. coli strains encapsulated with K1, whereas certain E. coli strains encapsulated with K5 may not need a capsule.

Source: FEMS Microbiology Letters

DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1986.tb01542.x

Authors: Kwang Sik Kim, Jane H. Kang, Alan S. Cross

Institutions: University of California, Los Angeles, Harbor–UCLA Medical Center, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research

Language: English

Topic: Escherichia coli research studies

Subfield: Endocrinology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: March of Dimes Foundation