Haemagglutination pattern of Klebsiela: Their pathogenic potential and intestinal colonization

Of the 208 strains of Klebiella studied, 19.6 % of 168 K. aerogenes, 3.4 % of 29 K. planticola and 36.4 % of 11 K. oxytoca strains were found to be le thal to the mice. Of the 38 mouse lethal strains of klebiella, 73.6 could c olonise intestine of intraperitioneally inoculated mice. Of the 170 non-pat hogenic (non-lethal to mice) strains, 17.03% of K. aerogenes (135) and 85.7 % of K. oxytoca (7) colonised the intestine of mice, while none of the 28 n on-pathogenic K. planticola could be reisolated from the faeces of mice. No ne of the Klebsiella preparations from colonization factor agar (CFA) induc ed mannose-sensitive haemagglutination (MSHA), while all caused mannose-res istant haemagglutination (MRHA) of guinea pig erthrocytes. Many Klebsiella preparations from brain-heart infusion (BHI) broth culture induced MSHA and MRHA of both tanned and non-tanned human and animal erythrocytes. Producti on of MRHA of untreated ox and sheep erythrocytes with colonization factor agar cultures was closely correlated with intestinal colonization and letha lity potential of Klebsiella strains, respectively. Mannose-sensitive haema gglutination either of tanned or untreated erythrocytes was only caused by strains either capable to colonize or induce lethality in mice. Detection o f colonization factor like haemagglutinins and their relationship to pathog enicity not previously recognised in food borne Klebsiella is discussed.