Occurrence of genes for P and S fimbriae and hemolysin in urinary Escherichia coli.

Escherichia coli is the common causative agent of urinary tract infections. Sixty-one strains of E. coli isolated from children with urinary tract infections were tested by colony hybridization for the presence of genes determining P and S fimbriae and hemolysin. Of these strains, 46 possess a gene for hemolysin, 44 for P fimbriae and 28 for S fimbriae. Only 30 strains formed lytic zones around the colonies on plates with sheep erythrocytes. The results indicated that simultaneous occurrence of genes in urinary E. coli was highest for P fimbriae and hemolysin and lower for other combinations of the tested genes.