CHARACTERIZATION OF ESCHERICHIA-COLI SEROTYPE O-12-K1-H7 ISOLATES FROM AN IMMUNOCOMPETENT CARRIER WITH A HISTORY OF SPONTANEOUS-ABORTION AND SEPTICEMIA

Escherichia coli isolates from an immunocompetent woman with a history of repeated amnion infections and spontaneous abortion were character ized, Escherichia coli were isolated from stool, blood and cervix swab samples taken over a 21-month period after the last abortion which fo llowed septicemia during pregnancy, All samples except the last cervix swab contained isolates of serotype O12:K1:H7, which produced adhesin s, P fimbriae, type I fimbriae and the iron-chelator aerobactin, Pulse d-field gel electrophoresis revealed identical Xbal restriction patter ns of the O12:K1:H7 isolates, suggesting that one particular Escherich ia coli strain was responsible for the severe extraintestinal infectio ns during pregnancy, The strain was able to persist in the intestine o f the woman despite antibiotic therapy.