Desorption assay: a functional in vitro test for measuring the adhesion of E. coli on the urinary tract epithelium.

A functional test was developed to measure different adhesive properties of various Escherichia coli strains on the urinary tract epithelium. The test is based on initial incubation of everted canine ureteral segments in 2-hr cultures of E. coli (adsorption period), followed by sequential elutions in phosphate buffered saline.

Laboratory diagnosis of canine pyometra.

The principal laboratory test used to confirm the pyometra diagnosis in the bitch has been the determination of the total white blood cell count in venous blood. A marked elevation is known to be a characteristic of the disease. In the present study, the white blood cell count was determined as well as the γ-globulin level.

Pathogenesis of canine pyometra.

Escherichia coli strains associated with pyometra in 85 of 100 bitches investigated had an affinity for urinary tract epithelium and smooth muscle as well as for progesterone-stimulated endometrium and myometrium. The adherence via K-antigen seemed to be important for colonization of the pathogen during development of pyometra. urinary tract infection was detected in 23 of 32 bitches from which urine specimens were obtained.