Open AccessA rapid turbidimetric assay for the study of serum sensitivity of Escherichia coli
Author(s) -
Pelkonen Sinikka,
Finne Jukka
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1987.tb02298.x
Subject(s) - escherichia coli , turbidimetry , lysis , microbiology and biotechnology , strain (injury) , bacteria , sialic acid , mutant , chemistry , biology , chromatography , biochemistry , genetics , anatomy , gene
A rapid turbidimetric assay was developed to test bacteria for serum sensitivity. The lysis of bacterial suspensions in a microtitration plate was measured by a conventional vertical photometer. The comparison with the classical viable count test showed that the method was simple and fast, and gave comparable results. Escherichia coli mutants selected for resistance to a K1‐specific bacteriophage were screened with the assay. Mutants from a rough K1‐encapsulated serum‐resistant strain were serum‐sensitive irrespective of their capsular sialic acid content or reactivity with anti‐K1, whereas similar mutants derived from an 018:K1 strain were resistant.