Isolation of piliated Escherichia coli from diarrheic foals.

The research paper investigates the presence of piliated strains of E.coli in foals suffering from diarrhea, using methods like electron microscopy and agglutination in specific antisera.

Objective of the Research

• The primary objective of this study was to determine if Escherichia coli (E. coli), particularly ones with pili (tiny hairlike structures on the surface) could be isolated from fecal samples and intestines of foals – both healthy and those suffering from diarrhea. Piliated E. coli are crucial because the pili often play a significant role in the bacteria’s virulence or ability to cause disease.

Methodology

• The researchers used two primary methods for their study – electron microscopy and antisera agglutination. Electron microscopy, a powerful imaging technique that uses beams of electrons instead of light, was applied to visualize and demonstrate the piliation of isolates.
• Antisera agglutination was another technique used which works by causing bacteria to clump together in the presence of an anti-bacterial serum. The researchers used antisera that specifically reacts with K88, K99, P987, and F41 pili, variations of pili known to exist in different strains of E. coli.

Findings

• The study found that piliated E. coli strains could indeed be isolated from symptomatic as well as asymptomatic foals.
• Moreover, the researchers identified piliation via electron microscopy even in organisms which did not react with any of the stated antisera.

Significance of the Research

• This research is of significance as it establishes the presence of piliated E. coli in foals and possibly their role in causing ailments like diarrhea.
• Also, the finding that piliation was observed in the organisms not reacting to antisera implies the potential existence of pili with yet unidentified characteristics, leading to further scope for research.