Surface Characteristics Of Escherichia Coli Strains In Relation To Development Of Bacteraemia

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Abstract
Three groups of E. coli bacteria isolated from [human] blood, urine and feces were analyzed with respect to physicochemical surface properties in aqueous polymer 2-phase systems. Of the bacteria isolated from blood cultures, 88% showed affinity for the dextran-rich bottom phase, whereas 60% and 30% of the bacteria isolated from urine and feces, respectively, collected to the same phase. The bacteremia strains apparently exposed more negative surface than the other groups of bacteria, and this charge was apparently reduced after heat treatment (70.degree. C, 40 min). The strains causing bacteremia may possess similar surface properties and may be selected for the more heterogeneous group of bacteria found in urine and feces. Bacteria found in the blood may expose more heat-sensitive, negatively-charged K antigen than the other groups of bacteria.