Some enteropathogenic strains of Escherichia coli produce haemagglutinins associated with HEp2 epithelial cell adhesion.

Sixteen of 17 strains of Escherichia coli of traditional infantile enteropathogenic (EPEC) serotypes produced mannose-sensitive haemagglutinin (and type-1 fimbriae) after serial growth in nutrient broth. Two strains also produced mannose-resistant haemagglutinins (MRHAs) after serial growth in phosphate-buffered broth but not in nutrient broth or after growth on phosphate-buffered agar. Some of the type-1 fimbriate EPEC strains adhered modestly in a mannose-sensitive manner to HEp2 epithelial cells in a 30-min in vitro assay; two MRHA+ EPEC strains adhered well in a mannose-resistant manner.