Fimbrial serotypes of Escherichia coli strains isolated from extra-intestinal infections.

Strains of Escherichia coli isolated from urinary tract infections and meningitis were characterised by their O:K serotype, haemolysin production, mannose-resistant haemagglutination, and the serotype of the P-fimbriae. The P-fimbriae of 71% of the mannose-resistant haemagglutination-positive strains from urinary tract infection and meningitis could be determined with specific monoclonal antibodies. Many strains expressed multiple P-fimbriae serotypes. The serotypes of P-fimbriae found most frequently among mannose-resistant haemagglutination-positive E. coli from urinary tract infections were the F11, F7 and F8 fimbriae, and among meningitic strains, F11, F8 and F9 fimbriae. The expression of certain F-serotypes did not correlate with O:K antigens.