Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

P-fimbriae of pyelonephritogenic Escherichia coli: Detection in clinical material by a rapid receptor-specific agglutination test

P-Fimbrien pyelonephritogener Escherichia coli: Nachweis in klinischem Material mit einem Rezeptor-spezifischen Agglutinations-Schnelltest

  • The Fifth Sils Maria Symposium
  • Published:
Infection Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

A slide agglutination test to detect P-fimbriatedEscherichia coli was developed by attaching glycosides containing the relevant receptor structure (α-D-Galp-(1–4)-β-D-Galp) to particles. A suspension of these particles agglutinates within ten seconds when mixed with P-fimbriated bacteria. The test is named the P-specific particle agglutination test (PPA test). The PPA test is more sensitive than the haemagglutination assays previously used. The exclusive specificity of the PPA test also allows the detection of P-fimbriae on strains which additionally possess other fimbriae (e. g. X-fimbriae). Using this test, the frequency of P-fimbriatedE. coli in children with acute non-obstructive pyelonephritis was shown to exceed 95%. In lower urinary tract infections the frequency of P-fimbriatedE. coli was approximately 20%. Moreover, children with acute pyelonephritis were also found to be heavily colonized in both the periurethral area and the intestine with the identical P-fimbriatedE. coli strain.

Zusammenfassung

Für den Nachweis P-Fimbrien tragenderEscherichia coli wurde ein Objektträger-Agglutinationstest entwikkelt, bei dem Partikel-gebundene Glykoside mit der entscheidenden Rezeptor-Struktur (α-D-Galp-(1–4)-β-D-Galp) verwendet werden. Wird eine Suspension dieser Partikel mit P-Fimbrien tragenden Bakterien vermischt, so kommt es innerhalb von zehn Sekunden zur Agglutination. Der Test wird P-spezifischer Partikel-Agglutinationstest (PPA-Test) genannt. Der PPA-Test ist empfindlicher als die früher angewandten Hämagglutinationstests. Wegen seiner exklusiven Spezifität ermöglicht er auch den Nachweis von P-Fimbrien auf Stämmen, die zusätzlich andere Fimbrien tragen (z. B. X-Fimbrien). Mit dem PPA-Test wurden bei mehr als 95% der Kinder mit akuter, nicht obstruktiver Pyelonephritis P-Fimbrien tragendeE. coli nachgewiesen; ihre Häufigkeit bei Infektionen der unteren Harnwege lag bei etwa 20%. Außerdem fand sich bei Kindern mit akuter Pyelonephritis eine starke Kolonisation der periurethralen Region und des Darmes durch mit dem pathogenen Erreger identische, P-Fimbrien tragendeE. coli.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature

  1. Källenius, G., Möllby, R. Adhesion ofEscherichia coli to human periurethral cells correlated to mannose-resistant agglutination of human erythrocytes. FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 5 (1979) 295–299.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Källenius, G., Möllby, R., Winberg, J. In vitro adhesion of uropathogenicEscherichia coli to human periurethral cells. Infect. Immun. 28 (1980) 972–980.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Källenius, G., Möllby, R., Svenson, S. B., Winberg, J., Lundblad, A., Svensson, S., Cedergren, B. The pk antigen as receptor for the haemagglutination of pyelonephriticEscherichia coli. FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 7 (1980) 297–302.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Källenius, G., Möllby, R., Svenson, S. B., Winberg, J., Hultberg, H. Identification of a carbohydrate receptor recognized by uropathogenicEscherichia coli. Infection 8 Suppl. 3 (1980) S288-S293.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Svenson, S. B., Hultberg, H., Källenius, G., Korhonen, T. K., Möllby, R., Winberg, J. P-fimbriae of pyelonephritogenicEscherichia coli: Identification and chemical characterization of receptors. Infection 11 (1983) 61–67.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Källenius, G., Svenson, S. B., Möllby, R., Cedergren, B., Hultberg, H., Winberg, J. Structure of carbohydrate part of receptor on human uroepithelial cells for pyelonephritogenicE. coli. Lancet II (1981) 604–606.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Källenius, G., Möllby, R., Svenson, S. B., Helin, I., Hultberg, H., Cedergren, B., Winberg, J. Occurrence of P-fimbriatedEscherichia coli in urinary tract infections. Lancet II (1981) 1369–1372.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Väisänen, V., Elo, J., Tallgren, L., Siitonen, A., Mäkelä, H., Svanborg Edén, C., Källenius, G., Svenson, S. B., Hultberg, H., Korhonen, T. K. Mannose-resistant haemagglutination and P antigen recognition characteristic ofE. coli causing primary pyelonephritis. Lancet II (1981) 1366–1369.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Korhonen, T. K., Väisänen, V., Saxén, H., Hultberg, H., Svenson, S. B. P antigen recognizing fimbriae from human uropathogenicE. coli strains. Infect. Immun. 37 (1982) 286–291.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Svenson, S. B., Källenius, G., Möllby, R., Hultberg, H., Winberg, J. Rapid identification of P-fimbriatedE. coli by a receptor-specific particle agglutination test. Infection 10 (1982) 209–214.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Ørskov, I., Ørskov, F., Jann, B., Jann, K. Serology, chemistry and genetics of O and K antigens ofEscherichia coli. Bacteriol. Rev. 41 (1977) 667–710.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Bäck, E., Möllby, R., Kaijser, B., Stintzing, G., Wadström, T., Habte, D. EnterotoxigenicEscherichia coli and other gram-negative bacteria of infantile diarrhoea: Surface antigens, hemagglutinins, colonization factor antigen and loss of enterotoxigenicity. J. Infect. Dis. 142 (1981) 318–327.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Evans, D. J. Jr., Evans, D. G., Höhne, C., Noble, M. A., Haldane, E. V., Lior, H., Young, L. S. Hemolysin and K antigens in relation to serotype and hemagglutination type ofEscherichia coli isolated from extraintestinal infections. Infect. Immun. 13 (1981) 171–178.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Leffler, H., Svanborg Edén, C. Chemical identification of a glycosphingolipid receptor forEscherichia coli attaching to human urinary tract epithelial cells and agglutinating erythrocytes. FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 8 (1980) 127.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Källenius, G., Svenson, S. B., Möllby, R., Korhonen, T., Winberg, J., Cedergren, B., Helin, I., Hultberg, H. Carbohydrate receptor structures recognized by uropathogenicE. coli. Scand. J. Infect. Dis. Suppl. 33 (1982) 52–60.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Källenius, G., Hultberg, H., Möllby, R., Roberts, J., Svenson, S. B., Winberg, J. P-fimbriae of pyelonephritogenicEscherichia coli: Significance for reflux and renal scarring — a hypothesis. Infection 11 (1983) 73–76.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Glynn, A. A., Brumfitt, W., Howard, C. C. K antigens ofEscherichia coli and renal involvement in urinary tract infections. Lancet I (1971) 514–516.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Kaijser, B. Immunology ofEscherichia coli: K antigen and its relation to urinary tract infection. J. Infect. Dis. 127 (1973) 670–677.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Kaijser, B., Hanson, L. Å., Jodal, U., Lidin-Janson, G., Robbins, J. B. Frequency ofE. coli K antigens in urinary tract infections in children. Lancet I (1977) 663–664.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Kimball, H., Garcia, M., Petersdorf, R. O. The epidemiology of non entericEscherichia coli infections. II. Relationship of prevalence ofE. coli in urinary infections to the bactericidal effect of human serum. J. Lab. Clin. Med. 63 (1964) 901–906.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Olling, S., Hanson, L. Å., Holmgren, J., Jodal, U., Lincoln, K., Lindberg, U. The bactericidal effect of normal human serum onE. coli strains from normals and from patients with urinary tract infections. Infection 1 (1973) 24–28.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Cooke, E. M., Ewins, S. P. Properties ofEscherichia coli isolated from a variety of sources. J. Med. Microbiol. 8 (1975) 107–111.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Minshew, B. H., Jörgensen, J., Counts, G. W., Falkow, S. Association of hemolysin production, hemagglutination of human erythrocytes, and virulence for chicken embryos of extraintestinalEscherichia coli isolates. Infect. Immun. 20 (1978) 50–54.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Brooks, H. J. L., O'Grady, F., McSherry, M. A., Cattell, W. R. Uropathogenic properties ofEscherichia coli in recurrent urinary tract infections. J. Med. Microbiol. 13 (1980) 57–68.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Welch, R. A., Dellinger, E. P., Minshew, B., Falkow, S. Haemolysin contributes to virulence of extra-intestinalE. coli infections. Nature 294 (1981) 665–667.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Björkstén, B., Kaijser, B. Interaction of human serum and neutrophils withEscherichia coli strains: Differences between strains isolated from urine of patients with pyelonephritis or asymptomatic bacteriuria. Infect. Immun. 22 (1978) 308–311.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Spurgeon, L., Thrupp, L. D. Relation of virulence ofEscherichia coli in septicemia and urinary tract infection to temperature-sensitive growth in minimal medium. J. Infect. Dis. 142 (1980) 773.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Welch, W. D., Spurgeon, L., Kitts, D., Moyed, H. S., Thrupp, L. D. Unique temperature-sensitive nutritional requirements of bacteremicEscherichia coli isolates. J. Clin. Microbiol. 13 (1981) 606–608.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Davies, D. L., Falkner, F. R., Hardy, K. G. Colicin V production by clinical isolates ofEscherichia coli. Infect. Immun. 31 (1981) 574–579.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Svanborg Edén, C., Hanson, L. Å., Jodal, U., Lindberg, U. Variable adherence to normal human urinary tract epithelial cells ofEscherichia coli strains associated with various forms of urinary tract infection. Lancet II (1976) 490–492.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Svanborg Edén, C., Hansson, H. A. Escherichia coli pili as mediators of attachment to human urinary tract epithelial cells. Infect. Immun. 21 (1978) 229–237.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Duguid, J. P., Clegg, S., Wilson, M. I. The fimbrial and non-fimbrial haemagglutinins ofEscherichia coli. J. Med. Microbiol. 12 (1979) 213–227.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Ljungh, Å., Faris, A., Wadström, T. Hemagglutination byEscherichia coli in septicemia and urinary tract infections. J. Clin. Microbiol. 10 (1979) 477–481.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Green, C. P., Thomas, V. L. Hemagglutination of human type O erythrocytes, hemolysin production, and serogrouping ofEscherichia coli isolates from patients with acute pyelonephritis, cystitis and asymptomatic bacteriuria. Infect. Immun. 31 (1981) 309–315.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Hagberg, L., Jodal, U., Korhonen, T. K., Lidin-Janson, G., Lindberg, U., Svanborg Edén, C. Adhesion, hemagglutination and virulence ofEscherichia coli causing urinary tract infections. Infect. Immun. 31 (1981) 564–570.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bacteriology, National Bacteriological Laboratory, S-105 2, Stockholm

    R. Möllby M. D., Gunilla Källenius M. D. &  S. B. Svenson Ph. D.

  2. Department of General Microbiology, University of Helsinki, SF-Helsinki

    T. K. Korhonen Ph. D.

  3. Department of Pediatrics, Karolinska Hospital, Karolinska Institute, S-104 01, Stockholm

    J. Winberg M. D.

Authors
  1. R. Möllby M. D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gunilla Källenius M. D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. B. Svenson Ph. D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. T. K. Korhonen Ph. D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. J. Winberg M. D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Möllby, R., Källenius, G., Svenson, S.B. et al. P-fimbriae of pyelonephritogenic Escherichia coli: Detection in clinical material by a rapid receptor-specific agglutination test. Infection 11, 68–72 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01651363

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01651363

Keywords

Search

Navigation