Adhesive fimbriae produced in vivo by Escherichia coli O139:K12(B):H1 associated with enterotoxaemia in pigs.

Two strains of E. coli O139:K12 (B):H1 were compared in vitro and in the intestinal environment. Both strains colonized the small intestines of experimentally inoculated pigs and exhibited in vivo a similar relationship to the microvillus border as enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC). Strain 107/86 grown on blood agar expressed numerous long flexible non-haemagglutinating fimbriae which were antigenically distinct from the known fimbriae of porcine ETEC. It adhered in vitro to porcine enterocyte brush border fragments. Strain 124/76 grown on blood agar was devoid of fimbriae and did not adhere to brush border fragments. However, fimbriae morphologically and antigenically indistinguishable from those of strain 107/86 were detected in the intestinal environment by direct immunofluorescence and by immuno electron microscopy.