Table 4.
Kittens identified with enteroadherent bacteria and subsequent bacterium species identification
| In situ identity of enteroadherent bacteria | No. of kittens with enteroadherent bacteria/total no. tested (%)a in group: |
|
|---|---|---|
| A | B | |
| Enterococcus spp. | 9/50 (18%) | 7/50 (14%) |
| E. hirae confirmed by PCR | 8/9 (89%) | 2/7 (29%)b |
| Species undetermined by PCR | 1/9 (11%) | 5/7 (71%)b |
| Escherichia coli | 0/50 (0%) | 9/50 (18%)c |
| eae positive by PCR | 3/9 (33.3%) | |
| eae undetermined by PCR | 6/9 (66.7%) | |
a
Enteroadherent bacteria were detected by light microscopy and identified to the genus level by fluorescence in situ hybridization and to the species level by PCR performed on the same formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue specimens in which enteroadherent bacteria were observed. Kittens were apparently healthy (group A; n = 50) or had died or were euthanized due to severe illness (group B; n = 50).
b
P is ≤0.05 (Fisher's exact test).
c
P is ≤0.01 (Fisher's exact test).