Prevention of Escherichia coli K1 bacteremia in newborn mice by using topical vaginal carbohydrates.

Pregnant Swiss-Webster mice were vaginally inoculated with 5 x 10(4) Escherichia coli K1 strain LH (O75:K1:H3) or C94 (O7:K1:H-). Inhibitor solutions were applied vaginally before delivery and the incidence of bacteremia and surface colonization determined in neonates at 3 days of age. E. coli K1 strain LH resulted in bacteremia in 77% and colonization in 74% of control newborn mice. After topical maternal vaginal D-mannose treatment, bacteremia and colonization were present in 25% of neonates. Topical vaginal application of subinhibitory concentration of gentamicin reduced bacteremia to 23% of neonates. Topical methyl-alpha-D-mannoside and p-nitrophenyl-D-mannoside, however, prevented bacteremia in 100% of newborn mice. A neonatal meningitis strain of E. coli K1 (C94) caused bacteremia in 100% of neonates and was also completely inhibited by methyl-alpha-D-mannoside. This technique of vaginal treatment before delivery may have applicability to human mothers and their infants.