[Adherence to HEp-2 cells of enterotoxemic Escherichia coli O-group 139 from pigs with edema disease].

One hundred and one strains of enterotoxemic Escherichia coli (ETEEC) O-group 139 isolated from swine with edema disease were investigated for their adherence to HEp-2 cells in the presence of D-mannose. All strains adhered in large numbers to the cells (21 to 60 bacteria/cell). No correlation was found between the presence of F107 fimbria on the organisms and the adherence to the cells. Adhesion-inhibition tests showed that anti-K12 serum inhibited the adhesion ETEEC O-group 139 (an inhibition rate of 63 to 65%), but anti-F107 or anti-O139 sera did not. These results indicate that the capsular K12 antigen may be one of the pathogenic factors of ETEEC O-group 139.