Inheritance of K88-mediated adhesion of Escherichia coli to jejunal brush borders in pigs: a genetic analysis.

The transmission and genetic organization of the adhesion of the serological variants of the K88 adhesin in the jejunum of the pig were investigated. The results of 28 matings of 5 boars with 15 sows are presented. On the basis of previous studies it has been accepted that the presence of specific receptor sites for K88ab and K88ac depends on a gene locus with 2 alleles S and s. The presence of additional receptor sites for K88ad is now presumed to depend on a separate locus with the alleles D and d. The expression of the alleles of the S and D loci is not always complete and is likely to be influenced by epistatic genes. Inhibition or modification of the expression of the receptor sites for K88 can result in intermediate phenotypes.