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A total of 237 Esscheri(chia (0oli strains isolated from the urine of patients with various forms of urinary tract infection or from feces of healthy children were analyzed for 0 group, possession of Kl capsule, type 1 fimbriae, P fimbriae, X adhesin, and production of hemolysin. Some of the strains were also analyzed for K and H antigens, outer membrane protein pattern, and plasmid content. P fimbriation, hemolysin production, and certain 0 groups were found to be significantly correlated with pyelonephritogenicity. Possession of type 1 fimbriae or of Ki capsule or plasmid content did not significantly correlate with virulence. Outer membrane protein patterns in 139 strains of the more common 0 groups were analyzed. Only one to three patterns, which varied between serotypes, were usually found within any one 0 group. Distinctive groups (clones) were found when the strains were grouped according to complete serotype, fimbriation, hemolysin production, and outer membrane protein pattern; also, the mean number of plasmids was typical of the strains in a given clone. Seven clones associated with pyelonephritis were found; together they accounted for 57% of the 0 serotypable strains from the pyelonephritis patients. The seven clones were P fimbriated but differed in their serotypes as follows:

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