Hemagglutinating properties of Escherichia coli strains isolated from diarrheic lambs

Abstract

The intestinal content of 107 neonatal dead lambs was examined in order to isolate producers of thermostable toxin (ST) and verotoxin (VT) E. coli strains. Besides, the hemagglutinating properties were also tested. 
Eighty four (78.5%) strains of E. coli were isolated, 70 (83.3%) of which were hemagglutinating to red blood cells of different animal species, mainly hen; most of them proved mannose resistent (MRHA). Also, 18 strains ST producers and 11 VT producers were isolated, all of them with agglutinating activity; the MRHA type predominating. 
It is recommended to run the hemagglutination test and secondly to study the antigenic structure and enterotoxic capacity of the isolated strain, particulary when a big number of strains is analized, in order to decrease the diagnostic costs and to obtain preliminary information on presumably, pathogenous strains.