Ulcerative colitis and Escherichia coli with adhesive Properties

Abstract

A quantitative assessment of the mannose resistant, adhesive property of Escherichia coli from patients with ulcerative colitis and from controls was made using a buccal epithelial cell adhesion assay, which also permitted assessment of adhesion to cells from other host sources. E coli from patients with ulcerative colitis adhered to buccal epithelial cells to a greater extent than those obtained from controls (p < 0.0001), but did not show an increased affinity for the buccal epithelial cell of their host, compared with those obtained from other sources. The mannose resistant adhesive property of E coli raises the possibility that it has a role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis.