ABSTRACT
A total 49 strains of Escherichia coli suspected of causative organisms of urinary tract infection were isolated and studies for several properties related to the virulence markers of organisms. Urinary isolates (42.9%) showed higher frequency of mannose resistant hemaglutination (MRHA) with human erythrocytes (O type, Rh+) than stool isolates (13.3%) as a control group. Fifteen strains (30.6%) of urinary isolates and 2 (l3.3%) of stool isolates showed hemolysis on blood agar plate. Fourteen strains (28.6%) of urinary isolates and 5 (33.3%) of stool isolates produced colicin. Twelve strains (52.5%) among 23 strains of positive MRHA reaction and 5 (12.2%) of 41 non-MRHA strains found to be hemolytic effect but the frequency of transferable antimicrobial resistance of non MRHA strains was greater than that of MRHA strains. Three properties of hemaglutination, hemolysis, and colicin production were not transferred to recipient E. coli ML 14lO and/or RG 488 by conjugation whereas the antimicrobial resistance were transferred. There was not any significant difference of the minimal inhibitory concentration of 11 drugs between both groups of hemaglutinating and non-hemaglutinating strains. * A thesis submitted to the Committee of the Graduate School of Kyung Pook National University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Medical Science in June 1985.