Production of and sensitivity to colicins among serologically classified strains of Escherichia coli.

A significant proportion of 242 serologically classified strains of Escherichia coli of human origin produced colicins (33%) or were inhibited by one or more of six standard colicins (57%). The most common colicins identified were E1, I, and B; colicins B and V had greatest range of activity. Generally, neither the production of, nor sensitivity to, individual colicins was restricted to strains of a single serogroup. The coexistence of strains of one serogroup that were sensitive to the action of a colicin produced by strains of another serogroup was encountered among 2 of 21 fecal specimens containing strains of multiple serogroups. The production of colicins was not a major determinant in the acquistion of, or subsequent changes in, strains of E. coli in the feces of 10 newborn infants.