Spectrum of Escherichia coli agglutinins in dam's sera, colostrum and calf's sera in Fresian cows and buffaloes in Egypt.

Sera collected from 18 pregnant buffaloes and Fresian cows during the last two weeks before parturition and from the newborn calves during the first two weeks after birth. All the samples together with the colostral whey of the first three days were examined for the presence of E. coli agglutinins using the tube agglutination and passive hemagglutination tests. The latter test was more sensitive and demonstrated higher titres in all cases, and consequently more O groups. Agglutinins to various E. coli O groups were detected in all samples. It is worthy to note that agglutinins to all E. coli O groups used as antigens were detected in 13 dam's sera, 17 colostrum and in one buffaloe calf. The titres were higher in colostrum than in dam's or calf's sera. The highest titre was 1:640. The O groups 101, 115, 117, and 26 were the most common among Fresian cows whereby the O groups 101 and 115 showed the highest titres. In buffaloes the O groups 101, 115, 8 and 26 were the most common with the O8 having the highest titre.