Immunological approach to the pathogenetical role of Escherichia coli adhesive factor "119" in a suckling mouse urinary tract model

In the course of urinary tract infections, suckling mice with maternal anti-pilus ("119") immunity showed a massive protection against a 119+ strain of Escherichia coli. Animals could be protected against urinary tract infection by giving pilus antibody or pilus vaccine shortly after the infection. Results showed the importance of adhesive pili in initiating the urinary tract infection by E. coli.