The chemoluminescence response of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes to Escherichia coli O and K antigens.

The interactions between Escherichia coli O or K antigens and polymorphonuclear leukocyte function were studied. Five types of O antigen and three types of K antigen were extracted from E. coli. These included O1, O6, O75 and K1 antigens from pyelonephritopathogenic strains, O44 and K74 antigens from an enteropathogenic strain and O14 and K7 antigen from a standard strain. The antigens all reacted specifically to their specific antisera and no cross-reactions were observed. The O1 or O44 antigen stimulated a significantly greater chemoluminescence response in polymorphonuclear leukocytes obtained from normal volunteers than O75, O6 or O14 antigen. In addition, the K1 or K74 antigen stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes significantly more than K7 antigen. These results suggest that pyelonephritopathogenic or enteropathogenic E. coli may produce severe tissue damage as a result of the response to their O or K antigens, as well as via adhesive agents such as pyelonephritopathogenic P-pili or the enteroadhesive factor, and exotoxins such as hemolysin or verotoxin.