[Antibody response to P-fimbriae of Escherichia coli in patients with genitourinary infections].

The serum antibody response to P-fimbriae of Escherichia coli in patients with genitourinary infections was investigated with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for P-fimbriae-specific IgG antibody. 1) Female patients with acute pyelonephritis had a significantly (P less than 0.01) higher titer of serum IgG antibody by ELISA, compared with patients with acute cystitis or control subjects. The prevalence of positive serum IgG antibody response was 65% in patients with acute pyelonephritis. 2) Patients with epididymitis with high fever had a significantly (P less than 0.01) higher titer of serum IgG antibody by ELISA, compared with patients with epididymitis without fever or control subjects. The prevalence of positive serum IgG antibody response was 60% in patients with epididymitis with high fever. Therefore, 65% of female patients with acute pyelonephritis and 60% of patients with epididymitis with high fever are infected with P-fimbriated E. coli. The measurement of serum antibody response to P-fimbriae must be helpful for the diagnosis and the antibiotic therapy of epididymitis.