In vitro adherence of type 1-fimbriated uropathogenic Escherichia coli to human ureteral mucosa.

Type 1-fimbriated Escherichia coli isolated from patients with urinary tract infections adhered in vitro to the epithelial cell surface of an excised human ureter. The bacteria also adhered to a mucous coating and to Formalin-fixed human ureteral mucosa. D-Mannose strongly inhibited such adherence. The bacteria in their nonfimbriated phase lacked the ability to adhere. We concluded that type 1 fimbriae play a role, at least in part, in upper urinary tract infections in humans.