Serum antibodies against Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis after different types of operations.

The serum antibody titer against Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis before and after different types of operations was studied in 105 adult patients. The different operations were: pyelo- or ureterolithotomi (32); ileal conduit urinary diversion (20); cholecystectomi (34); operation in the thyroid area (10); operation of varicose veins of the legs (9); and colectomies (10). High serum antibody titers against E. coli were found in 16% of the patients preoperatively. Antibody titres against P. mirabilis were high in 19% of the patients with urinary tract calculus but in none of those without urological disease. The antibody titre against E. coli and/or P. mirabilis increased significantly more often after operation in the urinary tract or colon than after the other operations. Increase of antibody titers were more often seen in patients who preoperatively had normal titres. A normalization of the titers was seen during the following 12 months and in most of those patients within the first 3 months.