Characterization ofEscherichia coli serotype O12∶K1∶H7 isolates from an immunocompetent carrier with a history of spontaneous abortion and septicemia

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Abstract
Escherichia coli isolates from an immunocompetent woman with a history of repeated amnion infections and spontaneous abortion were characterized.Escherichia coli were isolated from stool, blood and cervix swab samples taken over a 21-month period after the last abortion which followed septicemia during pregnancy. All samples except the last cervix swab contained isolates of serotype O12∶K1∶H7, which produced adhesins, P fimbriae, type I fimbriae and the iron-chelator aerobactin. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed identical Xbal restriction patterns of the O12∶K1∶H7 isolates, suggesting that one particularEscherichia coli strain was responsible for the severe extraintestinal infections during pregnancy. The strain was able to persist in the intestine of the woman despite antibiotic therapy.