Impaired colonization by and full invasiveness of Escherichia coli K1 bearing a site-directed mutation in the type 1 pilin gene

A type 1 pilus-deficient mutant of a systemically invasive Escherichia coli K1 strain was constructed by directed mutagenesis of pilA, the gene that codes for the major structural subunit of type 1 pili. By comparing this mutant with an isogenic pilA+ strain, we were able to assess the role of type 1 piliation in alimentary tract colonization and bloodstream invasion in neonatal rats. Intestinal colonization was not significantly affected by the pilA mutation; in contrast, loss of type 1 piliation correlated with a dramatic decrease in oropharyngeal colonization. Nevertheless, development of bacteremia after oral administration of E. coli K1 was not diminished by the mutation in pilA. Thus, loss of type 1 piliation correlated with a site-dependent effect on colonization within the alimentary tract while not interfering with bloodstream invasion.