A MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODY IDENTIFIES 2134P FIMBRIAE AS ADHESINS ON ENTEROTOXIGENIC ESCHERICHIA-COLI ISOLATED FROM POSTWEANING PIGS

Fimbriae (pill) of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coil (ETEC), including K88, K99, 987P, and F41, are adhesins that facilitate intestinal colon ization in neonatal pigs. K88 is also associated with some ETEC isolat ed from weaned pigs. Many ETEC isolates from weaned pigs do not expres s known adhesins and are termed 4P(-). A novel bacterial adhesin, 2134 P, was recently identified on two 4P(-) ETEC isolates from weaned pigs . In this study, we identified a 2134P-specific monoclonal antibody, m Ab 6C7/C1, that blocked the binding of 2134P(+) bacteria to intestinal epithelial cells. Indirect immunofluorescent antibody and immunoperox idase assays using mAb 6C7/C1 confirmed that the 2134P adhesin is expr essed in vivo by adherent bacteria in pigs challenge-exposed with 2134 P(+) ETEC. 2134P was detected on 31% of 189 postweaning diarrhea 4P(-) ETEC isolates from the National Animal Disease Center's culture colle ction by dot blot immunoperoxidase assays using mAb 6C7/C1. We conclud e that 2134P is a bacterial adhesin and is an important virulence attr ibute of some ETEC that cause diarrhea in weaned pigs.