# VIRULENCE FACTORS OF UROPATHOGENIC ENTEROBACTERIACEAE

> **NIH NIH R01** · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 1987 · $104,630

## Abstract

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are among the most common human infections,
and may have serious health sequelae.  Most UTI are caused by members of
the bacterial family Enterobacteriaceae.  Both epidemiological data and
studies with animal models have implicated the important role of specific
bacterial adhesins (pili or fimbriae) in the colonization of the UT by
bacteria normally found in the human large bowel.  The object of this
research proposal is to characterize and compare, using modern genetic
techniques, the DNA sequences encoding these bacterial adhesins with the
ultimate goal of developing methods to prevent bacterial adherence to UT
epithelial cells.

More specifically, the methods of recombinant DNA technology will be used
to (1) isolate and identify the genes coding for mannose-resistant adhesins
non-homologous to the P-pili of Escherichia coli (which allow E. coli to
bind avidly to uroepithelium); and (2) isolate and identify the gene(s)
conferring adherence to uroepithelium from Proteus mirabilis, a common
cause of hospital acquired UTI.  Extensive DNA hybridization experiments
will be carried out to compare the gene for P pilin of a well studied
uropathogenic E. coli to other UTI isolates.  It is hoped that these
experiments may identify common genetic sequences that might be explored as
targets for the development of vaccines or for specific chemical inhibitors
to prevent the expression or function of bacterial adhesins.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3127961
- **Project number:** 5R01AI018462-06
- **Recipient organization:** BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **SAM.gov UEI:** FXKMA43NTV21
- **Principal Investigator:** RICHARD A. HULL
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $104,630
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1982-01-01 → 1988-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3127961

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3127961, VIRULENCE FACTORS OF UROPATHOGENIC ENTEROBACTERIACEAE (5R01AI018462-06). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3127961. Licensed CC0.

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