Experimental Escherichia coli endocarditis in rats: roles of serum bactericidal activity and duration of catheter placement.

Studies were undertaken to investigate the relationship of the sensitivity of Escherichia coli to the bactericidal properties of serum and the ability of different strains to induce and sustain endocardial infection in rats. Strains of E. coli demonstrated different degrees of serum sensitivity, as determined by a method which employed concentrations of serum from 10 to 95% and periods of incubation as long as 24 h.

Association of hydroxamate siderophore (aerobactin) with Escherichia coli isolated from patients with bacteremia.

Clinical isolates of Escherichia coli were examined for the presence of hydroxamate siderophore (aerobactin). The incidence of aerobactin-positive strains of E. coli from the blood was greater than the incidence of these strains isolated from other sites.