Lack of significance of pili in experimental ascending Escherichia coli pyelonephritis.

The role of pili as a bacterial virulence factor has been studied. The model used was acute ascending Escherichia coli pyelonephritis in the mouse. Three strains of E. coli were injected in lightly or more heavily piliated phases into 15 mice each. At sacrifice of 13-15 animals 2 weeks later, no significant difference in severity of pyelonephritis was found as judged by numbers of bacteria in the kidney, nor intensity or frequency of gross abscesses. 27 strains of E. coli were order ranked for severity of pyelonephritis produced and compared with intensity of piliation in vitro under conditions designed to maximize pilus formation. No significant difference was found. 15 strains derived from patients in whom infections were confined to the bladder were compared for degree of piliation with 12 strains infecting the kidney. No significant difference was found. These studies do not support a significant role for the degree of piliation as a virulence factor in pyelonephritis.