E. coli meningitis: K1 antigen and virulence.

It is clear from the preceding material that bacterial infection is a significant threat to the newborn infant. The most common gram-negative organism causing meningitis in the neonate is E. coli, and the invasive capacity of this organism is correlated with its polysaccharide antigen, K1. Careful studies of supportive care and antimicrobial therapy of these infections are continuing. If antibodies could be generated which protect the infant, it would be theoretically possible to guard against infasive disease by conferring antibody positivity to the mother and hence to the infant. Investigations along these lines are continuing.