Serum antibodies to Escherichia coli in subjects with ulcerative colitis
Heddle, R.J.; Shearman, D.J.
Clinical and Experimental Immunology 38(1): 22-30
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0009-9104 PMID: 93528 Document Number: 143904
In ulcerative colitis the intestinal flora may stimulate autoimmune reactions to colonic epithelium through shared specificites exposed in a 'common antigen' found in most Enterobacteriaceae. Patients with ulcerative colitis may have selectively increased serum antibody [Ab] titers to enterobacterial common antigen [ECA] or E. coli 014, which is rich in ECA. Ab titers to ECA and lipopolysaccharides [LPS] of E. coli 014 and of 5 serotypes of E. coli which occur frequently in human feces were measured by passive hemagglutination. Sera were obtained from patients with ulcerative colitis, age- and sex-matched controls and subjects with other gastrointestinal disorders. Serum titers to ECA and E. coli 014 LPS were not increased significantly in subjects with ulcerative colitis but significant increases were observed in subjects with chronic liver disease without colitis. Patients with active ulcerative colitis, patients with chronic liver disease and subjects convalecent from Salmonella or Shigella infections all had significantly increased serum titers to the antigens as a group. Class-specific enhancement of passive hemagglutination indicated that class distribution of serum Ab was similar in subjects with ulcerative colitis and controls.