Enhanced Virulence Effect of K1 Polysaccharide in Neonatal Rats Challenged With E. Coli

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-1-1983

Description

Purified K1 polysaccharide enhanced the virulence of non-K1 Escherichia coli species when given by orogastric feeding to neonatal rats. Neonatal rats developed E. coli bacteremia when K1 polysaccharide was given concomitantly with non-K1 E. coli, whereas E. coli bacteremia did not develop when non-K1 E. coli was given alone. E. coli K1 species did cause bacteremia and meningitis when fed to neonatal rats. The mechanism by which k1 polysaccharide enhances virulence can be studied with this model of bacteremia development in neonatal rats.

Share

COinS